One great advice I’ve received about finding balance in life is a metaphor about tides.
Tides are described as “the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun, and the rotation of the Earth.”
My colleague’s advice is deceptively simple but wise: when tide waters come in, swim. If treading water is all you’re able to do, you’re doing great!
When tide waters recede, take time to catch up on things you never get to do during turbulent times.
It’s a great metaphor that applies to anyone. When viewed as a busy working special needs parent, the advice boils down to: take advantage of the bits of downtime that life blesses you with.
This summer, we were blessed with nearly two weeks of relaxation in August to visit T’s Grammy and Grandad in the East Coast.
After a challenging Spring of simultaneous virtual schooling and work, I took full advantage of this gift of time: I did not log into work once, I went to the gym and I inhaled the salt water air.
On our last day at my in-laws’ cottage, we were blessed with a beautiful low tide morning. The waters receded and exposed sandbars.
T, his cousin, Aunt, grandparents, the hubby and I joined other locals to walk leisurely bare feet on the shallow water and sandbars.
T busied himself by helping dig up quahogs and crabs. The hubby was especially great at knowing where to dig up quahogs.
Together, we collected quite the stash (see photo at the top) and even found a large one!
In the past, the hubby would cook the quahogs into a yummy chowder. But there’s been reports of a mysterious neurological condition affecting locals that’s been linked to eating wild quahogs.
So no thanks! We have enough neurological-based challenges that’s keeping us very busy!
So we left the quahogs alone and they all eventually buried themselves back in the sand. It’s quite marvelous how they do this!
T also found small crabs and even larger ones (above) and also jellyfish (below).
Myself? I zoned out. My mind drifted off into my quiet, calm and happy place – that the hubby jokingly refers to as “La Isla Bonita.”
I watched T and his cousin enjoy themselves. I let the shallow refreshing water sway back and forth above my ankles. I silently prayed to give thanks for the two weeks of restful bliss.
We then went back inside to have lunch and to enjoy the final hours of our vacation before we had to head back home early next morning.
Outside, tide waters started to come into the bay.
This is so exciting. Crabs and giant clams , wow! I enjoy low tides, it’s a great opportunity to discover what treasures the sea has underneath the water. Thanks for sharing this fun beach adventure. I had so many great memories of low tides activities growing up, so is my son. The beach and the ocean will always be an important aspect of my life and that of my family.
The ocean reveals many treasures for sure during low tide. I’m glad that you have many great memories as well. I have vague memories of such moments from the Philippines too!
Talk about recharging all of your batteries! I know you already know how fortunate you are to be able to disconnect here. I bet T had a blast and what an education he must have gotten.
Thanks Diane. Yes, definitely know and feel so fortunate for our blessings. We’re in another high tide few weeks but I know another low tide is around the corner. 😊 T had a blast for sure!!!
Look so peaceful! And I love the metaphor. I’ll be thinking about that as the storms come and go in my day-to-day life!
Thanks Robyn. It is a great metaphor for sure. I hope the storms are settling or less in your day to day! I can understand those days and hope many Sunny low tide days are on the horizon!
That’s such great advice about finding balance in life. It’s so important to be able to disconnect from work while on vacation so good for you for not logging into work at all during your two weeks off. Searching for quahogs sounds fun, but that’s too bad that you couldn’t eat them. I wouldn’t have risked it either.
Yes, it’s good to disconnect. One thing I appreciated about our Northern Ontario roadtrip is there was many spots where you still can’t receive phone and cell reception. I miss those days of true disconnecting!
It’s quite fun trying to dig up quahogs. My spouse was quite refined in his technique and pretty much found one every spot he tried to dig! I’m more guess work. 🙂
Totally! I don’t even realize how often I check or am on my phone sometimes. It’s nice being able to completely disconnect. I don’t do it enough.
I’ve never tried to dig up quahogs, but now I’m curious to see what it’s like. We’re planning on going out east next summer so I may very well get an opportunity to try!
You and K will love the East Coast! Plan for at least two weeks if possible. 😊
For sure. Otherwise half the trip will just be driving to and from Atlantic Canada!
Haha, La Isla Bonita 🤣 Love it!! But what on Earth is a quahog, other than the name of a town in Family Guy?!
Quahogs are basically clams. 🙂 like you, I first heard of the word from Family Guy. Next time you watch the show, you’ll notice the bar Peter and friends hang out in has a big clam outside. That’s a quahog!
Oh I see! That makes sense 😆
Totally makes sense, your colleague has great advise. Thanks for sharing it w/ us 😊.
Thanks Tammy. Isn’t it such wise advice? I do wish I’d listen to it more often. 😆 But such is life and I’m glad I was wise enough to do so this summer!
That’s exactly why I appreciate you sharing. I reflect on all the times elders or someone shared their wisdom & I either wasn’t trying to hear it in the moment or it just didn’t click until many years later. So now I listen, take it all in & apply the info when I need to. I could practically feel myself wading in the water as I read, lol.
I know how you feel. I can be that way too with unsolicited advice. 😆 Yes, the water was just amazing. I do wish we were still there. But next summer – and another low tide – will be here before we know it!
This is awesome. Made me smile. Hawklad loves the beech and finding rock pools.
Thanks Gary! Believe it or not, even though we don’t know each other in “real life,” I do think about you and Hawklad when I’m near the water. I can see how much he enjoys it. A shared quality as my T.
Perfect metaphor!!! And oh so true! And loved your last line.
Thank you, Vickie. I definitely know you can relate with Jess and your two other children. I hope you are enjoying the current low tide with the success of your new book!
Great metaphor! There’s nothing better for unplugging than going to a beach – especially with kids!
Thanks, as always, for visiting and your kind comments Wynn. And I agree! 😊
By the way, I’m not sure if it’s an error on my app, the link to your blog doesn’t work. No worries if it’s not up anymore but I always like to read about the journeys of other parents too, especially those who kindly take the time to connect.
Have a great rest of your week!
Thank you so much for that tip about my blog. I thought I fixed it yesterday but I will double check! https://wynneleon.wordpress.com
Hope you all enjoy your week too! Best —
Wynne
Yay, it’s fixed now! I always check from time to time and always get a dead link. I’m glad it’s fixed now. And have officially followed for updates! 😊