Wow you did again Graham 🙌 Love everything about this week’s poem, and the video was just so beautiful and peaceful to watch !! Everyone who knows me and is close to me knows how much I love the ocean and my walks at the beach in the evening watching the sunset is my happy place. I’m so blessed to be living at the Top End of Australia as we have summer all year long so this makes it so much easier. No matter how hard of a day I had once I’m near the ocean I forget everything it is so rejuvenating! I wish I could share you here some of my videos of the beach I have recorded and posted at my IG account but I have no idea 🤷♀️ how to attach a video here. I’m so grateful that I live so close to the beach. Now we know what you needed the new wetsuit for 😉Thanks again for this inspiring poem!Keep them coming!!🙏💖😊
Irene during my first visit to Australia I spent a good deal of time at the northern end. It was stunning there. The ocean was made of crystal water. My dives there are amongst the most memorable in my life. In the ocean, with life all around me was
as unique a meditation as you can imagine. The sounds of the ocean obliterated anything above the surface. I felt at peace and one with ocean creatures passing me by with curiosity. As I think of it now it feels as if I can project myself into that space, eyes closed. So serene....
I did also visit the Gold Coast on that visit but northern Australia was my favorite area I loved also Green Island and Heron Island. Magnificent at that time. 💜
Irene, since I am landlocked, I so enjoy you taking us along to enjoy your beautiful beach time and those stunningly gorgeous sunsets! I will never tire of seeing your posts!
I love the ocean too, Irene. I also love lakes. I waterski for sport and there is nothing more thrilling to me that sliding across the top of the water! I've tried skiing in the ocean before, but it's too rough for me so I just like to walk on the beach or sit and read a book!! We were supposed to go to Australia in Oct. 2020, but covid messed that up. I still hope to get there one day!! It looks amazing!!
Yes ma'am. Water skiing is only fun on slick water. You don't see that much in the ocean!! My husband and I went to a resort last year and I tried skiing in the bay and it was just too rough. Not enjoyable at all. So I went back to my beach chair and just took in the scenery like you like to do! Much better experience!!
I love your beautiful beach videos. Thank you for sharing them. When we lived in Alaska we were close to the ocean, I could see it from my back deck. I miss that view and the ocean so much now that we are back in north Texas and land locked.
You’re most welcome Christine,hopefully you can also come up in the top end in the future! I’m so looking forward to seeing Teresa here in the beginning of July, I have already booked for us a sunset cruise!! I can’t wait 😘
Graham, after last week's poem, I traveled to the mountains in upstate South Carolina. I went to Table Rock National Park. On the way there, I saw a beautiful waterfall which I shared pictures of on Social Media. At the park, there was a beautiful lake and one little Mallard Duck just waiting to be fed. He was so friendly and his colors were just beautiful. I captured some of the most amazing pictures of him and also shared those on Social Media. After a hectic week, this was exactly the solace that was needed. Getting out and just admiring God's creation and beauty was so relaxing. There is a nature trail close to my house where I also go occasionally next to the Rocky River. You are exactly right, we all need to do this chilling out on occasion. Good for the mind, body, and soul.
Love this poem. Thanks again for sharing with us your inspirational writings. Cheers!
Please let me know. I would be glad to help where I can. Leaves are beautiful in the fall. The outer banks is my favorite to have the ocean experience..
That's awesome. I was a little south of there last weekend for the day trip to relax and take in the beauty. I hope you have a wonderful and safe trip.
Sounds so nice, Anne. We have beautiful nature trails here in the Ohio valley, which I need to take advantage of this year. Just needs to warm up a bit. :-)
Won't be long! Well, we're a little spoiled right now in NC. It's around 71 degrees today. Hope to get out a little later today and take a walk on the nature trail again.
You're welcome. I live outside of Charlotte, NC, so I bet we don't live too far apart from one another. This is south of Asheville, NC near Saluda, SC off the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Pkwy. I think that's what that Highway is called. By the way, Happy belated Birthday! I hope you had a good one.
I don’t typically post here because most of the poems you share require me to reflect deeply, tackle challenging parts of my life and do internal work that I am not personally comfortable posting publicly about, but I truly love and appreciate what you share. Thank you in such a big way Graham🙏🏻
I loved this poem and the tranquility of the video you posted. I could feel the peace and calm in you floating around. Nature is the most healing and rejuvenating resource in the world. When I am down on myself, have worked really hard, want a challenge, can’t clear my head or just need to reconnect and re-align I make my way outdoors.
My favorite thing to do is tackle a mountain and wander in the woods. It is hard, requires endurance and self motivation and being prepared but the rewards are literally like heaven on earth. When I get to the top of a mountain, I take off my shoes to ground myself, then I sit down and say a prayer for being fortunate enough to be on earth at this time, being so grateful for the abundance of beauty all around at every angle and soak in all the blessings surrounding me. I take time to meditate and be fully present with myself and the world under me. I hug the trees, stop to listen to the wildlife around me, enjoy the sounds and vision of water flowing on the trails and just immerse myself in the stillness and tranquility.
When I am in nature I genuinely feel like I’m in heaven on earth and I am whole and at home. So much life all around us that is constantly evolving, growing and expanding.
I understand what you are saying, Laurie. I REALLY appreciated this tranquil poem today. I do post, but after the last couple of Grahams poems & people's posts I started thinking I needed to take a break -- so many heavy personal challenges in this world.
No judgment on anyone sharing, we all have different comfort levels in terms of what we will share publicly. It felt nice today to feel comfortable to comment on something Graham shared and feel part of the community and not like just a subscriber to the platform :)
Laurie~ everyone is different about sharing. I must admit it has been challenging for me at times especially when Graham’s words touch a nerve or sensibility that I have long kept so private. There are certainly some things I can’t share. They loom larger than life. Much respect for your statement in this regard. I’m so glad that you could comment today. 🙏🏻💜
No, I've been studying Joseph Campbell's theory of the Hero's Journey -- where the 12 stages don't seem to include rest. I definitely believe in revitalization.
There truly is nothing better than being on a mountain top or even just high up where you can see for miles/kilometres. So often I have felt to just sing out loud, but I don't ... inhibited but oh I want to. However, in the last year I have started blowing a shofar. Then just soaking in the glory of all that surrounds. I have a moss covered viewpoint that I have enjoyed just laying down in. It has been fairly cold here but finally, just days ago I went to a local beach, through the forest and took my shoes off. It was glorious putting my feet to the ground. Then I walked through the forest home bare foot. Felt so good.
I feel the same when I'm in nature. Being able to immerse yourself in your surroundings makes me appreciate what God has given us. We are so lucky to have these beautiful places to go to where we can escape the rat race & find some peace & solitude to revitalise.
Don't worry about not posting. You do what you feel comfortable with. Take care
I’m glad you feel comfortable enough to share. I love seeing the pictures you share on IG of your time in nature. I too love getting outside and feeling the warm sunshine on my face, the breeze through my hair. Unfortunately I don’t have quite the scenery that you do. 😊
Graham - thank you again for the last week's poem and again for this week's. I did alot of reflecting last week on things I grow up believing and how much I would just hide away from things because myself confidence wasn't high. But with the help of your poems and the people on this page I started to feel better. I live in the city surrounded by desert, so I can't do my favorite thing and walk along a beach. So I did my next favorite thing and got together with some old dear friends, we had lunch with a lot of laughter and relaxing. I felt so high on things after. Plus I had some really great news also last week - I'm two years cancer FREE!!! Thank you everyone for your support and thank you Graham for all that you do 😊❤️🤗 May God bless you all 🙏 cheers 🍻
Thank you it means a lot and if they harvest tissues during my surgery as usual next month I will be so grateful cancer free on facial. But my cancer can come back into different parts of my body. My pet/scan is June 24 head to knee scan. 🙏
That’s such awesome news!! I can relate. I am cancer free for two years too & keeping positive thoughts for my next appointment in June. Congrats & enjoy life!❤️❤️
Congratulations, Jody, on being cancer free! I have family that live on the coast of GA and my husband and I live just 30 minutes from the mountains, so I can get a beach fix or mountain fix when needed. However, like you, I really enjoy spending time with close friends as well. There's nothing like "being" with good friends for meals, walks, or good conversations. Thanks for you thoughts on this and again, congratulations.
Thanks Jody - spending quality time with friends and family - celebrating, sharing and great conversations is what life is about. Have a wonderful holiday weekend & thank you again. 😊🤗❤️🙏
Congratulations on being cancer free Jody! What a praise! I've also had dinner with some friends lately which sooths the soul since I don't have children. Friends are my extended family since my brother lives a little too far away. Have a great rest of the week Jody!
Anne - I'm the same - I don't have children either. I know if we lived closer we would being having dinners on a regular basis. But I do appreciate you thoughts and comments here - thank you and you have a great rest of your week - happy Easter 🐣 😊 🤗❤️🙏
How wonderful Jody! That is definitely the best news! Sharing with friends and family is the very best! I I pray your good news continues year after year! Sending love and hugs. 🙏🏻💜
Yes. It’s wonderful. I have such appreciation for those who show up and are there for you when you most need them to be. It fills your heart with such love and joy!
Thanks Christine - it's has been great celebrating after beening in for the last couple of years. The beach is on my list of things to do soon!!! 😊🤗❤️🙏
Graham to revitalize is to Renew, Refresh, Reestablish ties, Reconnect with others, recent and past friends,acquaintances, schoolmates perhaps family members you haven’t seen for a while. It is to be in touch with your heart and make it beat in tune with your soul and bring meaning to those things you don’t understand. To bring light to those places that are dark. To feel again and be connected again to earth.
I've rediscovered the value of connecting to the earth literally. Take my shoes off whenever I get a chance. There are risks involved - our yard collects deer droppings. 😊
In the ocean at Magnolia is exactly where I would be if I had wheels! Love this poem! Looking forward to tubing in San Marcos next month hopefully too! Tubing down the river is so relaxing! For now I’ll just hang out in my jungle backyard Lol
Graham, thank you so much for this lovely poem. I love it!!! I also love the ocean, I so enjoy laying on the beach and just listening to the sounds of the ocean. We do take two beach vacations each year . Going to the Dominican Republic in a few weeks. Love the Caribbean!!! Today since I am no where near a beach I will be taking my almost daily long walk in the woods that surround my country home listening to some of the great music you have shared with us. Since I am a Roman Catholic and in the midst of Holy Week I will be revitalizing my faith at several church services. I sing in my church choir and I love being part of it . Singing Thursday, Friday, Saturday night and Sunday morning. Thanks for all your dedicated hard work. You know we all LOVE you and appreciate !!!!!🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤❤
Kathleen, I am Catholic as well. What a perfect week for this particular poem and meditation from Graham. Though not near your Parish, I Thank you for your gift of music at this most sacred time. Have a Blessed Holy Week.
Thank you so much Sue you also have a blessed Holy and a blessed Easter Sunday love the Easter season and all the beautiful music that we sing from Holy Thursday through sunrise on Sunday morning.🙏🙏🙏
I love the sea and the beach, the feel of the sand underfoot, the waves tossing me around because I feel refreshed and rejuvenated. We scattered my son's ashes in the sea partly because he loved the ocean but also because no matter where we go in the world, the ocean is accessible. Whilst I won't be near the ocean any time soon, I will get out into nature and go for a walk or run and appreciate the blessings that brings, in this coming week. Thank you Graham for sharing this poem with us, I love the memories and emotions it invokes.
Ami I scattered my husband’s ashes in Lake Ontario he loved it there where he grew up he was like Graham he loved the water swimming sailing I think that’s a beautiful idea❤️
I was the one in my family who scattered my dad's Ashes into Port Phillip Bay at the beach that we used to go to when we were kids. We had a holiday home there & lots of good & funny memories. My dad loved it there. I love the bay & the ocean (front & back beach). It's a place that brings we close to those memories & one of the places I feel close to my dad. Another is Sherbrooke Forest. A place I have been to walk several times. It's nice to have these places to visit & feel at peace & find a connection. I'm sorry about your son's passing, but glad that you can remember him & feel close to him whenever you're around the water. All the very best.
Sorry for your loss Christine, but I agree that it is so comforting to be able to feel that connection and peace with the places that hold those wonderful memories. Thank you for sharing your story with me. Blessings to you xx
Carol ~ my closest dearest friend of thirty years passed away of brain cancer a few years ago. It was a heart wrenching time. I served as her primary caregiver for six months. Her wish was to be in the ocean. She so loved the beach. We rented a small yacht to take her to the Pacific Ocean off of San Pedro CA. It was so lovely. We sent out white roses with her remains. Wherever I go, she is always with me. 🙏🏻💜
While I love walking the beach, I've never much cared for swimming in it. I'm currently recovering from ankle surgery, which makes walking something I can't do a lot of for now. I always find refreshment in reading a good book. My favorite is to sit outside and read either at a campsite or the beach, but for now as I recover it will be my front porch. I like to look up and listen and watch the birds, feel the breeze on my face, listen to the kids playing. Having neighbors stop to chat is also a plus.
This week I'm planning to revitalize myself by taking a road trip to visit my sister in New Jersey and to meet my new great nephew Franklin who was named after my Dad. What better way to revitalize than to snuggle my face into the neck of a new born baby and breathe in that beautiful baby scent. And since they all live near the Jersey shore, well...I just may have to make a side trip and put my toes in the sand and breathe in that fragrant sea air! Now we're talking!!
I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. I love babies. They are like God's little angels. When my nieces & nephews were babies I loved looking after them, especially as I don't have any children of my own. Even now as they're older I love seeing them & looking after them. They bring me so much joy.
I love children too Christine. After retirement I babysat and had so much fun. Not like working at all, simply getting back to basics...kids can take you back to being a kid again too.
For me revitalizing will be walks in the nature area by my house to take in the wonderful sights and sounds of springtime. After a winter’s rest the grass is growing again, flowering plants are showing beautiful colors, trees are downing a coat of fresh green leaves and the birds are singing cheerful songs. Mother Nature is waking up, there is new growth and new birth all around, so much to enjoy as it refreshes my soul.
I always feel better once winter is over. Unfortunately, in Australia, I've got winter coming up in a couple of months. But until then, I'm taking some time to get out in the Autumn sun.
We don't have any native trees here that have the fall colours. Only some imported maples here & there. Autumn in Victoria, feels more like an extended summer with just the temperature cooling down. Today, a beautiful sunny 21 degrees Celsius.
There's nothing like the ocean for rejuvenating and renewing. I was supposed to be on vacation on the Oregon Coast last week but plans beyond our control changed so we went camping in Washington wine country instead. Lots of r & r, catching up with friends, beautiful scenery. Getaways allow my inspiration to flourish so did a lot of writing and got excited about a new idea for a book project I'm working on. Glad you are getting some down time to recharge, Graham. Hope it inspires you, too!
I'm glad you were still able to get away & have a great time. Happy that you still got to be inspired & take some time out. Hope you get to go to the Oregon coast soon. 💖
That's the plan - but as we know, plans change. I'm still a teeny sad about it as there was a milestone I had hoped to revisit, but we had a nice time away and I'm grateful for that!
Hi Graham, Ahhhh thank you, what a lovely way to start my day. I would place myself on a Ferry from Anacortes to Orcas Island. The movement of the Ferry like a giant rocking chair. I would nestle into a cottage on the shore and watch the sea otters play, their giant float tank. This is renewal week and I can close my eyes and smell the forest, a wood burning stove, the chill of a salty breeze on my face and gentle lapping of water, an awesome living, breathing organism of centuries of life. I will recreate that beautiful place, right where I am, on a ridge facing centuries of mountains. When I close my eyes and drift, the wind sounds like the ocean as it blows thru the trees. I will take time to refresh, appreciate, dream. I am fatigued and weary as I feel like I have been carrying that cross up a hill, dragging, searching, reflecting, peeling away the chattered and cracked shell to reveal a tender heart inside. I shall wrap myself in a quilt and occupy one of the rockers on the deck and we will rock together to a magnificent sunset. Grateful, blessed, humbled….still and at peace. Blessings, dreams, comfort and breathe. I love you all!
Beautiful imagery Connie! I feel your homesickness. I’m homesick for Indianola. The crunchy shell beach of Magnolia, the strong cooling winds, the bird song, and the fabulous smell!
Hi Jan, Orcas Island is my sacred place. Took 50 ladies there for a week of quilting. Met in Seattle and motor coached and then ferried to the Island. It was paradise and I loved sharing the Island with them!
This week for me is looking forward to resurrection day and finding peace in the coming Passover. Out of that trying to find more of the purpose God has for me. How can I bless the one who created me? How can I help others find their purpose without pushing my ideas on them? What I can do is rest in holy spiritual waters and listen to the quiet still small voice inside. Be comfort and light to others without saying a word. I will pick up that staff that keeps me grounded. Listening to sweet words in these poems to encourage me.
Lucinda ~ I too will be celebrating Passover on Friday. The Holiday has much meaning for me with so many childhood memories, laughter, joy of family, cousins plotting their fun, aunts and uncles singing while kids fidgeted impatiently,.... they are all gone now but the memories endure!
About 10 years ago I moved from the Protestant way to the Messianic. A pastor told me to because he didn’t want to recognize the true way. Best advice I ever got.
Graham, your love letter to the Salted Sea spoke to my heart. It is through this poem and your video that I will revitalize this week and it will be amazing!
The ocean is my reflective, resetting and happy place. Even in the dead of winter, sitting wrapped in a sleeping bag, watching the waves roll in to wash anew the sand, to retreat back, only to turn around and refresh the sand again. Many times I felt I was giving my concerns, my uncertainties, my questions, my thoughts to that wave. I felt those waves carried my issues away and sent a refreshed start back to me.
Any season being at the ocean offers the peaceful calming and resetting necessary for the soul.
My daughters and I had a yearly traditional trip to the ocean so the four of us could reset for our busy year to come. Those summers gave me some of my most cherished mama/daughter memories! I believe my girls were changed because of these special ocean times.
Our ocean trips won’t be happening for awhile so, Graham~please accept my heartfelt thank you and my gratitude for this beautiful love letter to the Salted Sea and for taking me along with you as you floated with her.
One of my winter visits, I sent my scared and anxious thoughts/feelings about a diagnosis given to my mother out on one of those waves and what came back to me was that all would be well and …it turned out just so.
One our summer trips, my daughters would ask when are we going to sit and talk to the waves( when they were small). As they matured through the years, it became a tradition we all looked forward to spending time doing. Very special memories indeed!
Thank you Graham for this beautiful poem with this peaceful video. 🙏
For me, it's not "salted sea" but "snowed mountain"... : I live in the mountains far away from the ocean.
The winter days to ski in front of 360° views in front of majestic landscapes, hikes the rest of the time to contemplate the exuberant fauna and flora, the changing landscapes to the sandstone of the seasons, everything is only beauty and contemplation. 🤩🧘♀️
There is nothing like a walk along a torrent in the forest to recharge yor batteries after a day’s work.
Here’s the way I revitalize myself ...
Thank you Graham for all these beautiful ocean's views and happy Easter to all 💖
Wow you did again Graham 🙌 Love everything about this week’s poem, and the video was just so beautiful and peaceful to watch !! Everyone who knows me and is close to me knows how much I love the ocean and my walks at the beach in the evening watching the sunset is my happy place. I’m so blessed to be living at the Top End of Australia as we have summer all year long so this makes it so much easier. No matter how hard of a day I had once I’m near the ocean I forget everything it is so rejuvenating! I wish I could share you here some of my videos of the beach I have recorded and posted at my IG account but I have no idea 🤷♀️ how to attach a video here. I’m so grateful that I live so close to the beach. Now we know what you needed the new wetsuit for 😉Thanks again for this inspiring poem!Keep them coming!!🙏💖😊
Irene during my first visit to Australia I spent a good deal of time at the northern end. It was stunning there. The ocean was made of crystal water. My dives there are amongst the most memorable in my life. In the ocean, with life all around me was
as unique a meditation as you can imagine. The sounds of the ocean obliterated anything above the surface. I felt at peace and one with ocean creatures passing me by with curiosity. As I think of it now it feels as if I can project myself into that space, eyes closed. So serene....
Sounds to me Sherry ,like you may have visited The Gold Coast as they are famous for their crystal clear waters !
I did also visit the Gold Coast on that visit but northern Australia was my favorite area I loved also Green Island and Heron Island. Magnificent at that time. 💜
I love all your video post of beautiful beach sunrise or sunset it’s rejuvenating and I fell like I was my birth home. Thank you for sharing Irene.
You’re welcome and thank you Lucy sometimes I worry that I do too many posts of my happy place !!🙏❤️
It’s never too much as some will never visit your place. I post a lot all kinds of pictures lol
Thanks for always sharing your beautiful beach sunsets with us!
🙏❤️
Irene, since I am landlocked, I so enjoy you taking us along to enjoy your beautiful beach time and those stunningly gorgeous sunsets! I will never tire of seeing your posts!
That’s good that you are not tired of seeing my posts , I get very excited some times :) ,Thank you Cindy 🙏❤️
Irene…Sounds awesome…what a daily stress reduction formula…I’d love it!
Believe me Danny it’s so rejuvenating! 🙏
I love the ocean too, Irene. I also love lakes. I waterski for sport and there is nothing more thrilling to me that sliding across the top of the water! I've tried skiing in the ocean before, but it's too rough for me so I just like to walk on the beach or sit and read a book!! We were supposed to go to Australia in Oct. 2020, but covid messed that up. I still hope to get there one day!! It looks amazing!!
Water skiing sounds wonderful. As for me I prefer like you to have long walks and just sit back and relax, watch the beautiful scenery! 😘
Yes ma'am. Water skiing is only fun on slick water. You don't see that much in the ocean!! My husband and I went to a resort last year and I tried skiing in the bay and it was just too rough. Not enjoyable at all. So I went back to my beach chair and just took in the scenery like you like to do! Much better experience!!
I love your beautiful beach videos. Thank you for sharing them. When we lived in Alaska we were close to the ocean, I could see it from my back deck. I miss that view and the ocean so much now that we are back in north Texas and land locked.
I love seeing your photos & videos of the beautiful sunsets you have. They look so inviting & so peaceful. Thanks for sharing them Irene. 💖
You’re most welcome Christine,hopefully you can also come up in the top end in the future! I’m so looking forward to seeing Teresa here in the beginning of July, I have already booked for us a sunset cruise!! I can’t wait 😘
I love all your sunset photos!! they are beautiful!
🙏❤️
Irene, your your beach photos and videos are always so stunning and beautiful.🙏❤🤗
Thanks Anna 🙏❤️
Irene, I too love all your sunset pics.You are so blessed to live where you do. Keep posting, it really makes my day enjoying your view.❤🙏
Thanks Brenda I do feel blessed and grateful 🙏❤️
Irene, I need a wetsuit too, I love the ocean and I have it so near.
That’s awesome Elizabeth!! 🙏❤️
I love your beach photos Irene! They are always spectacular!!
🙏❤️
I also love the amazing sunsets you post on IG. Thank you!🙏☀
🙏❤️
I love seeing your beautiful beach sunsets too!
🙏❤️
Irene always look forward to your sunsets and uplifting posts
Thanks Jeffery 🙏
Graham, after last week's poem, I traveled to the mountains in upstate South Carolina. I went to Table Rock National Park. On the way there, I saw a beautiful waterfall which I shared pictures of on Social Media. At the park, there was a beautiful lake and one little Mallard Duck just waiting to be fed. He was so friendly and his colors were just beautiful. I captured some of the most amazing pictures of him and also shared those on Social Media. After a hectic week, this was exactly the solace that was needed. Getting out and just admiring God's creation and beauty was so relaxing. There is a nature trail close to my house where I also go occasionally next to the Rocky River. You are exactly right, we all need to do this chilling out on occasion. Good for the mind, body, and soul.
Love this poem. Thanks again for sharing with us your inspirational writings. Cheers!
The Carolinas are high on my list of places to visit. When I can make it happen, I see a few names here that can tell me where to go and what to see!
Please let me know. I would be glad to help where I can. Leaves are beautiful in the fall. The outer banks is my favorite to have the ocean experience..
Anne…we are heading to the mountains of western North Carolina next week… a lot of waterfalls in Maggie Valley.
That's awesome. I was a little south of there last weekend for the day trip to relax and take in the beauty. I hope you have a wonderful and safe trip.
Sounds so nice, Anne. We have beautiful nature trails here in the Ohio valley, which I need to take advantage of this year. Just needs to warm up a bit. :-)
Thanks. It was nice. Hope you can get out soon and enjoy!
Me too! I've had cabin fever since November!
Won't be long! Well, we're a little spoiled right now in NC. It's around 71 degrees today. Hope to get out a little later today and take a walk on the nature trail again.
Interesting....you are in Charlotte and I am in Cincinnati, the two Queen Cities. I think they are both great places to live!
I actually live in Concord right outside of Charlotte. I agree, both are great cities.
Lucky you. Sounds amazing.
It was the perfect day trip. I live about 2 hours from the mountains and about 4 hours from the ocean.
I live in upstate SC. I have never heard of Table Rock National Park. I will have to look this up. thanks for sharing this Anne.
You're welcome. I live outside of Charlotte, NC, so I bet we don't live too far apart from one another. This is south of Asheville, NC near Saluda, SC off the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Pkwy. I think that's what that Highway is called. By the way, Happy belated Birthday! I hope you had a good one.
Thanks so much. I’m in Indian Land, outside of Fort Mill
I live in Concord, NC a little north of you. I know exactly where that is. Small world!
It is indeed
I don’t typically post here because most of the poems you share require me to reflect deeply, tackle challenging parts of my life and do internal work that I am not personally comfortable posting publicly about, but I truly love and appreciate what you share. Thank you in such a big way Graham🙏🏻
I loved this poem and the tranquility of the video you posted. I could feel the peace and calm in you floating around. Nature is the most healing and rejuvenating resource in the world. When I am down on myself, have worked really hard, want a challenge, can’t clear my head or just need to reconnect and re-align I make my way outdoors.
My favorite thing to do is tackle a mountain and wander in the woods. It is hard, requires endurance and self motivation and being prepared but the rewards are literally like heaven on earth. When I get to the top of a mountain, I take off my shoes to ground myself, then I sit down and say a prayer for being fortunate enough to be on earth at this time, being so grateful for the abundance of beauty all around at every angle and soak in all the blessings surrounding me. I take time to meditate and be fully present with myself and the world under me. I hug the trees, stop to listen to the wildlife around me, enjoy the sounds and vision of water flowing on the trails and just immerse myself in the stillness and tranquility.
When I am in nature I genuinely feel like I’m in heaven on earth and I am whole and at home. So much life all around us that is constantly evolving, growing and expanding.
I understand what you are saying, Laurie. I REALLY appreciated this tranquil poem today. I do post, but after the last couple of Grahams poems & people's posts I started thinking I needed to take a break -- so many heavy personal challenges in this world.
No judgment on anyone sharing, we all have different comfort levels in terms of what we will share publicly. It felt nice today to feel comfortable to comment on something Graham shared and feel part of the community and not like just a subscriber to the platform :)
Laurie~ everyone is different about sharing. I must admit it has been challenging for me at times especially when Graham’s words touch a nerve or sensibility that I have long kept so private. There are certainly some things I can’t share. They loom larger than life. Much respect for your statement in this regard. I’m so glad that you could comment today. 🙏🏻💜
Definitely -- no judgment!!!
Yes, it was like rigorous spiritual exercise. Now we rest.
Or, it's the temptation to quit that comes in the Hero's Journey???
Are you saying that taking time to rest is quitting? If so, I must disagree. On the 7th day God rested. It's an example for all of us.
No, I've been studying Joseph Campbell's theory of the Hero's Journey -- where the 12 stages don't seem to include rest. I definitely believe in revitalization.
I see. Thanks for the clarification.
Laurie, I can relate 100% not saying so much.
The feelings can go so deep sometimes.
There truly is nothing better than being on a mountain top or even just high up where you can see for miles/kilometres. So often I have felt to just sing out loud, but I don't ... inhibited but oh I want to. However, in the last year I have started blowing a shofar. Then just soaking in the glory of all that surrounds. I have a moss covered viewpoint that I have enjoyed just laying down in. It has been fairly cold here but finally, just days ago I went to a local beach, through the forest and took my shoes off. It was glorious putting my feet to the ground. Then I walked through the forest home bare foot. Felt so good.
I feel the same when I'm in nature. Being able to immerse yourself in your surroundings makes me appreciate what God has given us. We are so lucky to have these beautiful places to go to where we can escape the rat race & find some peace & solitude to revitalise.
Don't worry about not posting. You do what you feel comfortable with. Take care
💖
I’m glad you feel comfortable enough to share. I love seeing the pictures you share on IG of your time in nature. I too love getting outside and feeling the warm sunshine on my face, the breeze through my hair. Unfortunately I don’t have quite the scenery that you do. 😊
Graham - thank you again for the last week's poem and again for this week's. I did alot of reflecting last week on things I grow up believing and how much I would just hide away from things because myself confidence wasn't high. But with the help of your poems and the people on this page I started to feel better. I live in the city surrounded by desert, so I can't do my favorite thing and walk along a beach. So I did my next favorite thing and got together with some old dear friends, we had lunch with a lot of laughter and relaxing. I felt so high on things after. Plus I had some really great news also last week - I'm two years cancer FREE!!! Thank you everyone for your support and thank you Graham for all that you do 😊❤️🤗 May God bless you all 🙏 cheers 🍻
Congratulations Jody awesome news! I am 1 year cancer free until next test this coming month of June.
I will be praying for you Lucy that we have more good news in June ❤️❤️
Thank you it means a lot and if they harvest tissues during my surgery as usual next month I will be so grateful cancer free on facial. But my cancer can come back into different parts of my body. My pet/scan is June 24 head to knee scan. 🙏
Let's go with faith Lucy. 🙏
Yes God has been walking with my journey thank you Elizabeth 🙏
Praying for a clean scan for you in June!!
Thank you I appreciate you❤️🙏
I am praying for you
Prayers for you Lucy. 🙏 Walk in faith. God bless you. 🥰
Lucy Bernas I will be praying for you you are now in my prayer list
Thank you so grateful 🙏❤️
You are included in my devotion
Thank you Elisa I appreciate you🙏❤️
Congratulations to you and can't wait to celebrate with you in June - 2 years 😊🤗❤️🙏
That’s such awesome news!! I can relate. I am cancer free for two years too & keeping positive thoughts for my next appointment in June. Congrats & enjoy life!❤️❤️
Thanks Julie and I will keep positive thoughts for you in
June for 3 years - have a great rest of your week😊🤗❤️🙏
Wonderful and God Bless🙏
Congratulations Julie, that’s wonderful news!!💖
Thank you!
Julie ~ congratulations on your treasured 2yr milestone~ that is fantastic!
Congratulations, Jody, on being cancer free! I have family that live on the coast of GA and my husband and I live just 30 minutes from the mountains, so I can get a beach fix or mountain fix when needed. However, like you, I really enjoy spending time with close friends as well. There's nothing like "being" with good friends for meals, walks, or good conversations. Thanks for you thoughts on this and again, congratulations.
Thanks Jody - spending quality time with friends and family - celebrating, sharing and great conversations is what life is about. Have a wonderful holiday weekend & thank you again. 😊🤗❤️🙏
Jody… so glad to hear your good news…great timing as we approach Easter.🙏
Thanks Danny - it is great timing - to celebrate the holiday and with family plus friends - happy Easter 🐣 to you 😊🤗❤️🙏
Congratulations on your diagnosis. That must be a wonderful feeling.
Thank you Philip - it is a wonderful feeling 😊🤗❤️🙏
Congratulations on being cancer free Jody! What a praise! I've also had dinner with some friends lately which sooths the soul since I don't have children. Friends are my extended family since my brother lives a little too far away. Have a great rest of the week Jody!
Anne - I'm the same - I don't have children either. I know if we lived closer we would being having dinners on a regular basis. But I do appreciate you thoughts and comments here - thank you and you have a great rest of your week - happy Easter 🐣 😊 🤗❤️🙏
Happy Easter to you also!
Thank you 😊
Jody~your cancer free news if fantastic! Sending hugs and prayers for continuing your journey cancer free!🙏🏼💞
Thanks Cindy - appreciate all the hugs & prayers for my journey of staying cancer free 😊🤗❤️🙏
Congratulations Jody on continuing to be cancer free. That is awesome. Continued blessings. 🙏❤️
Thank you Leigh - it is an awesome feeling 😊🤗❤️🙏
Congratulations Jody. God is great.!
Thank you Elizabeth - God is good 😊🤗❤️🙏
How wonderful Jody! That is definitely the best news! Sharing with friends and family is the very best! I I pray your good news continues year after year! Sending love and hugs. 🙏🏻💜
Sherry - I've been so touch by all the love and support from sharing with friends and family. Thank you 😊 🤗❤️🙏
Yes. It’s wonderful. I have such appreciation for those who show up and are there for you when you most need them to be. It fills your heart with such love and joy!
Yes it does 😊
Congratulations Jody. So happy for you. So glad you are able to get out & celebrate. Hope you get to visit the beach soon. 🙏
Thanks Christine - it's has been great celebrating after beening in for the last couple of years. The beach is on my list of things to do soon!!! 😊🤗❤️🙏
Great News, blessings!
Thank you Dorothy - it is great news & I am truly blessed 😊🤗❤️🙏
Congratulations Jody, wonderful news!!!
Thank you Silvina - it is wonderful news 😊🤗❤️🙏
Wonderful news on your two years Cancer free😊
Thanks Teresa - it's the best news 😊🤗❤️🙏
❤🙏
Thank you Barbara 😊🤗❤️🙏
wonderful!
Yes it is wonderful Jackie - thank you 😊🤗❤️🙏
Graham to revitalize is to Renew, Refresh, Reestablish ties, Reconnect with others, recent and past friends,acquaintances, schoolmates perhaps family members you haven’t seen for a while. It is to be in touch with your heart and make it beat in tune with your soul and bring meaning to those things you don’t understand. To bring light to those places that are dark. To feel again and be connected again to earth.
I've rediscovered the value of connecting to the earth literally. Take my shoes off whenever I get a chance. There are risks involved - our yard collects deer droppings. 😊
Cathey there are other less precarious ways to connect with Mother Earth!!
😂
In the ocean at Magnolia is exactly where I would be if I had wheels! Love this poem! Looking forward to tubing in San Marcos next month hopefully too! Tubing down the river is so relaxing! For now I’ll just hang out in my jungle backyard Lol
Also, nice camera work Graham! I’m impressed!
Hope you have a great time next month.
Graham, thank you so much for this lovely poem. I love it!!! I also love the ocean, I so enjoy laying on the beach and just listening to the sounds of the ocean. We do take two beach vacations each year . Going to the Dominican Republic in a few weeks. Love the Caribbean!!! Today since I am no where near a beach I will be taking my almost daily long walk in the woods that surround my country home listening to some of the great music you have shared with us. Since I am a Roman Catholic and in the midst of Holy Week I will be revitalizing my faith at several church services. I sing in my church choir and I love being part of it . Singing Thursday, Friday, Saturday night and Sunday morning. Thanks for all your dedicated hard work. You know we all LOVE you and appreciate !!!!!🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤❤
Kathleen, I am Catholic as well. What a perfect week for this particular poem and meditation from Graham. Though not near your Parish, I Thank you for your gift of music at this most sacred time. Have a Blessed Holy Week.
Thank you so much Sue you also have a blessed Holy and a blessed Easter Sunday love the Easter season and all the beautiful music that we sing from Holy Thursday through sunrise on Sunday morning.🙏🙏🙏
I love the sea and the beach, the feel of the sand underfoot, the waves tossing me around because I feel refreshed and rejuvenated. We scattered my son's ashes in the sea partly because he loved the ocean but also because no matter where we go in the world, the ocean is accessible. Whilst I won't be near the ocean any time soon, I will get out into nature and go for a walk or run and appreciate the blessings that brings, in this coming week. Thank you Graham for sharing this poem with us, I love the memories and emotions it invokes.
I love this idea! I want to scatter part of Mom’s ashes in the ocean so she can travel the world like she wanted to ❤️Thank you for the idea!
Ami I scattered my husband’s ashes in Lake Ontario he loved it there where he grew up he was like Graham he loved the water swimming sailing I think that’s a beautiful idea❤️
I love it so much❤️
I pray that when you do peace will flow over you like the ocean.
❤️❤️💚💚
It's been a real blessing for us because we have since immigrated but the sea is still quite close to us. Sorry for your loss Aimee, thinking of you❤
❤️❤️💚💚
❤️❤️❤️
Possibly at Indianola, one of your happy places
Yes!! ❤️
I was the one in my family who scattered my dad's Ashes into Port Phillip Bay at the beach that we used to go to when we were kids. We had a holiday home there & lots of good & funny memories. My dad loved it there. I love the bay & the ocean (front & back beach). It's a place that brings we close to those memories & one of the places I feel close to my dad. Another is Sherbrooke Forest. A place I have been to walk several times. It's nice to have these places to visit & feel at peace & find a connection. I'm sorry about your son's passing, but glad that you can remember him & feel close to him whenever you're around the water. All the very best.
Sorry for your loss Christine, but I agree that it is so comforting to be able to feel that connection and peace with the places that hold those wonderful memories. Thank you for sharing your story with me. Blessings to you xx
Carol ~ my closest dearest friend of thirty years passed away of brain cancer a few years ago. It was a heart wrenching time. I served as her primary caregiver for six months. Her wish was to be in the ocean. She so loved the beach. We rented a small yacht to take her to the Pacific Ocean off of San Pedro CA. It was so lovely. We sent out white roses with her remains. Wherever I go, she is always with me. 🙏🏻💜
While I love walking the beach, I've never much cared for swimming in it. I'm currently recovering from ankle surgery, which makes walking something I can't do a lot of for now. I always find refreshment in reading a good book. My favorite is to sit outside and read either at a campsite or the beach, but for now as I recover it will be my front porch. I like to look up and listen and watch the birds, feel the breeze on my face, listen to the kids playing. Having neighbors stop to chat is also a plus.
Bev…recovery is a great time to reflect. Hope your recovery goes well.🙏
This week I'm planning to revitalize myself by taking a road trip to visit my sister in New Jersey and to meet my new great nephew Franklin who was named after my Dad. What better way to revitalize than to snuggle my face into the neck of a new born baby and breathe in that beautiful baby scent. And since they all live near the Jersey shore, well...I just may have to make a side trip and put my toes in the sand and breathe in that fragrant sea air! Now we're talking!!
Baby snuggles always make everything better! Enjoy ~ safe travels!
Thanks Cindy. Heading out tomorrow. Have a great week too!
My dad's name was Franklin, too. Enjoy those newborn snuggles - nothing like them!
That is true Cathey. From God's arms into ours...
I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. I love babies. They are like God's little angels. When my nieces & nephews were babies I loved looking after them, especially as I don't have any children of my own. Even now as they're older I love seeing them & looking after them. They bring me so much joy.
I love children too Christine. After retirement I babysat and had so much fun. Not like working at all, simply getting back to basics...kids can take you back to being a kid again too.
Awww that’s awesome! I miss smooching chubby baby cheeks and jelly roll necks. Enjoy ❤️❤️
And those jelly rolled legs!!
Oh my gosh yes!!
Enjoy the snuggles with the dear little baby boy! Babies are a ray of sunshine to our lives!
Thank you Dorothy...snuggles with the new baby sounds perfect!
Oh, the sweet moments with the littlest humans! Special times to cherish. Have a wonderful visit, Barbara.
Thank you Joan. Can't think of anything else I'd rather do!🤗
For me revitalizing will be walks in the nature area by my house to take in the wonderful sights and sounds of springtime. After a winter’s rest the grass is growing again, flowering plants are showing beautiful colors, trees are downing a coat of fresh green leaves and the birds are singing cheerful songs. Mother Nature is waking up, there is new growth and new birth all around, so much to enjoy as it refreshes my soul.
Spring is just the best, isn't it? It's like getting a new start every year.
My heart is also full of spring fever. I love it!☀🎶
I always feel better once winter is over. Unfortunately, in Australia, I've got winter coming up in a couple of months. But until then, I'm taking some time to get out in the Autumn sun.
Enjoy the autumn sun. I love seeing the fall colors, do you have colorful trees?
We don't have any native trees here that have the fall colours. Only some imported maples here & there. Autumn in Victoria, feels more like an extended summer with just the temperature cooling down. Today, a beautiful sunny 21 degrees Celsius.
There's nothing like the ocean for rejuvenating and renewing. I was supposed to be on vacation on the Oregon Coast last week but plans beyond our control changed so we went camping in Washington wine country instead. Lots of r & r, catching up with friends, beautiful scenery. Getaways allow my inspiration to flourish so did a lot of writing and got excited about a new idea for a book project I'm working on. Glad you are getting some down time to recharge, Graham. Hope it inspires you, too!
Looking forward to your writings😊
I'm glad you were still able to get away & have a great time. Happy that you still got to be inspired & take some time out. Hope you get to go to the Oregon coast soon. 💖
That's the plan - but as we know, plans change. I'm still a teeny sad about it as there was a milestone I had hoped to revisit, but we had a nice time away and I'm grateful for that!
Hi Graham, Ahhhh thank you, what a lovely way to start my day. I would place myself on a Ferry from Anacortes to Orcas Island. The movement of the Ferry like a giant rocking chair. I would nestle into a cottage on the shore and watch the sea otters play, their giant float tank. This is renewal week and I can close my eyes and smell the forest, a wood burning stove, the chill of a salty breeze on my face and gentle lapping of water, an awesome living, breathing organism of centuries of life. I will recreate that beautiful place, right where I am, on a ridge facing centuries of mountains. When I close my eyes and drift, the wind sounds like the ocean as it blows thru the trees. I will take time to refresh, appreciate, dream. I am fatigued and weary as I feel like I have been carrying that cross up a hill, dragging, searching, reflecting, peeling away the chattered and cracked shell to reveal a tender heart inside. I shall wrap myself in a quilt and occupy one of the rockers on the deck and we will rock together to a magnificent sunset. Grateful, blessed, humbled….still and at peace. Blessings, dreams, comfort and breathe. I love you all!
Beautiful imagery Connie! I feel your homesickness. I’m homesick for Indianola. The crunchy shell beach of Magnolia, the strong cooling winds, the bird song, and the fabulous smell!
Yes, like a huge dose of comfort!❤️❤️❤️
Yes! An enveloping peace!
Connie ~ love the images you created in your post!!!
Hi Jan, Orcas Island is my sacred place. Took 50 ladies there for a week of quilting. Met in Seattle and motor coached and then ferried to the Island. It was paradise and I loved sharing the Island with them!
Maybe we should meet there!
Do I have to know how to quilt? Hee hee! Sounds like heaven on earth.
I love what you wrote. It brought so many images to my mind. Thank you. 💖🙏
Christine, Drifting into imagination can be a sweet healing escape. 🙏❤️
The San Juans are so beautiful! I can picture being back there with your lovely description.
I have promised myself a return visit this summer. It is a magical place for me. ❤️❤️❤️
This week for me is looking forward to resurrection day and finding peace in the coming Passover. Out of that trying to find more of the purpose God has for me. How can I bless the one who created me? How can I help others find their purpose without pushing my ideas on them? What I can do is rest in holy spiritual waters and listen to the quiet still small voice inside. Be comfort and light to others without saying a word. I will pick up that staff that keeps me grounded. Listening to sweet words in these poems to encourage me.
Lucinda ~ I too will be celebrating Passover on Friday. The Holiday has much meaning for me with so many childhood memories, laughter, joy of family, cousins plotting their fun, aunts and uncles singing while kids fidgeted impatiently,.... they are all gone now but the memories endure!
About 10 years ago I moved from the Protestant way to the Messianic. A pastor told me to because he didn’t want to recognize the true way. Best advice I ever got.
Graham, your love letter to the Salted Sea spoke to my heart. It is through this poem and your video that I will revitalize this week and it will be amazing!
The ocean is my reflective, resetting and happy place. Even in the dead of winter, sitting wrapped in a sleeping bag, watching the waves roll in to wash anew the sand, to retreat back, only to turn around and refresh the sand again. Many times I felt I was giving my concerns, my uncertainties, my questions, my thoughts to that wave. I felt those waves carried my issues away and sent a refreshed start back to me.
Any season being at the ocean offers the peaceful calming and resetting necessary for the soul.
My daughters and I had a yearly traditional trip to the ocean so the four of us could reset for our busy year to come. Those summers gave me some of my most cherished mama/daughter memories! I believe my girls were changed because of these special ocean times.
Our ocean trips won’t be happening for awhile so, Graham~please accept my heartfelt thank you and my gratitude for this beautiful love letter to the Salted Sea and for taking me along with you as you floated with her.
Cindy…I like it that the waves carry away your issues…what a great analogy.
Thank-you, Danny
One of my winter visits, I sent my scared and anxious thoughts/feelings about a diagnosis given to my mother out on one of those waves and what came back to me was that all would be well and …it turned out just so.
One our summer trips, my daughters would ask when are we going to sit and talk to the waves( when they were small). As they matured through the years, it became a tradition we all looked forward to spending time doing. Very special memories indeed!
Thank you Graham for this beautiful poem with this peaceful video. 🙏
For me, it's not "salted sea" but "snowed mountain"... : I live in the mountains far away from the ocean.
The winter days to ski in front of 360° views in front of majestic landscapes, hikes the rest of the time to contemplate the exuberant fauna and flora, the changing landscapes to the sandstone of the seasons, everything is only beauty and contemplation. 🤩🧘♀️
There is nothing like a walk along a torrent in the forest to recharge yor batteries after a day’s work.
Here’s the way I revitalize myself ...
Thank you Graham for all these beautiful ocean's views and happy Easter to all 💖
Sounds perfect