August 9 - Sea and Sunshine

Day 220 of a year of Kindness
I experienced a profound kindness today that meant the world to me. I had surgery on my ankle three weeks ago and I cannot put any weight on my left foot. I have three more weeks to go without walking. One of my biggest sadnesses about this summer was missing the beach for six weeks. I can use a knee scooter to get around but it can’t travel on the sand.

So, my brother, Preston, and my sister-in-law Amy, came to visit. Amy hatched a plan to get a nice man, Billy, to pick me up in a beach buggy and take me to the beach. He picked me up in the parking lot and drove me down the beach. We found Amy and Preston and they helped me hop to my beach chair. Suddenly I was in my favorite place. 

I just inhaled the salt air and listened to the waves and felt tremendously grateful to Amy HC, Preston Cline and Billy for creating such a perfect day. Billy returned in the late afternoon and he and my brother helped me up from my chair. I hopped to the beach buggy and left the beach happier than I have been in weeks!

Science of Kindness: There is a lot of research about the benefits of nature on your mental health. Research around beaches reveals that the sound of the waves slows down brainwaves promoting deep relaxation. Ocean air is rich in negative ions that boost mood, sunlight offers Vitamin D and time at the beach improves sleep quality.