In the last week or so, the winds have been rather brisk and chilly on the coast in Wells, Maine. June can be a temperamental month. However, such is life year-round in Maine  – changeable weather is a constant – so be sure not to rely on weather forecasters because they can’t always be counted on for accuracy. The last couple days have been pleasant, although the winds continue to blow in a constant fashion. The dune grass that leads to the rough ocean sway back and forth in a mesmerizing rhythm. Hard to focus on necessary tasks when the view of sand and shore entice me like a jealous lover.

The rhythm of life is ever changing, and one can be swept away by its vitality or be grounded by its seeming inertia. Balance is a key aspect of living – of not swinging to either extreme of the pendulum. Striving toward the middle creates an equilibrium and a peace that permeates one’s entire being, and the fortunate souls who encounter such a person recognize the tranquility. Some even yearn to live life on their own terms – of not succumbing to stress or to aspiring to success that commands a steady increase of attention, much to the chagrin of life partners, families and friends.

Like the resilient dune grass, I am making a concerted effort to absorb the push-pull tension. When the whipping wind is silenced and stillness seizes the landscape, serenity abounds in nature. What matters most is one’s inner state of being and how it reflects upon others whose path crosses ours, even if the encounter is but a mere blip in life’s journey.