Beach Walks : It’s not what we do, but how we do it

For a long time I’ve said one of my very favourite things to do is walk the beach. It’s a “what I love doing” moment – and part of what I love most about living in Auckland- there are so many beaches to choose from

Even when travelling, if there is a beach nearby and I’ve got a spare thirty or forty minutes, I find myself on a beach.

This weekend I was reminded of the truth that it’s not what we do, but how we do it that counts.

This weekend my beach walk was a little crowded. I took along my three delightful but sometimes noisy girls, a gorgeous but fairly active labrador, went at the peak dog walking time, on a beach where the tide was in, and it was NOT one of my favourite experiences.

It was noisy, and complicated, and overly social, and I found that what I really love about my beach walks, whether walking solo or with someone else, is a peace that lets my mind relax, unwind and gain a bit of perspective.

I like quite voices, a stilled mind, slow breaths in and out in air fresher than anywhere else.

I love the sand beneath my feet, unadulterated by hundreds of other’s footprints, and the sun touching my shoulders, my face, and of course (in Auckland) Rangitoto.

My favourite is a near empty beach with the sun rising over the water, the air on my face, the day full of new possibilities.

I no longer will blindly say one of my favourite things is walking the beach. There are too many variables that can steal away from it’s place as my best thing to do.

Because it is not what we do, but how we do it.