I miss the sea

They say we appreciate more what we don’t have.

Living in cities close to the mountains most of my life, my wish to live by the sea was increasing year after year. I love nature in all its shapes and forms, and I do appreciate the daily view of the mountains too. Sometimes though, I wished so badly to be able to transport myself to the seaside, in an instant. No matter what day, month or season it would be. I was fortunate enough to be able to live for almost two years close to the sea, in a house with a sea view. Boy, how I enjoyed it! The sea air, the waves, the blue water, and the seagulls flying around felt magical. There were also times when strong winds were making it impossible to be outside. Or I would skip the daily walk by the seaside knowing that later on or the next day I will have opportunities to walk. With the time passing by, I got accustomed with the surroundings. I still loved everything around me but I started to act like there was always tomorrow.… Until one day when I had to move.

By then it was too late to make it up for all the things I didn't do while I was still there. I didn’t feel too sad though as I thought that the two years would have been enough to fulfill my wish. I waved the sea a goodbye and went back to my dear mountains. I was fine, my life moved on. Yet, I felt very soon that something was indeed missing.

Day in day out I felt I was missing something yet I couldn't put my finger on as to what I was missing. Then one fine morning I realized that I missed my daily walk by the sea, alone with my thoughts with the breeze gently caressing my hair. I missed even the moments when the weather condition wasn't so pleasant. I remembered how I enjoyed watching the agitated sea from indoor; in fact not only enjoyed, I was amazed by it. Yes, the mountains are magnificent and I always get impressed admiring them. I believe I couldn’t live without them either. Still, their vicinity couldn't fill the part that was now empty. I felt that the sea was calling me day and night. At first with just a soft whisper, then louder and louder.

I heard the call. But I was shouting out within “It is not possible now. You have lived there for two years, many people don't even get such a chance, so, be quiet now.” It didn’t help though. Soon I was left without arguments. During my walks, I was looking at the mountains and telling them: “You are beautiful but you aren’t enough.” My mood was gradually influenced by this strong urge. I couldn't function properly anymore. I had to do something. I had to go to the seaside, even that being for only one day.

This urge came around the peak of the season, meaning the possibility of almost no vacancies for accommodation and excessive prices. It was most of a no-no at first. But I had to persist to satisfy the urge and find ways within my possibilities. My wish was too strong to ignore it. The feeling that I had, seemed equal to when you miss badly someone you love and you are not at peace until you see them. It wasn't easy but I made the impossible possible. I listened to my wish, and a few days later I was where I wanted to be. At the seaside. Just me and the sea. I was where I belonged to be in that exact moment. I was then relaxed and not anymore restless. I was in the place that was so persistently calling my name. I felt relieved, happy and full of life. I was grateful to the universal power that made my wish heard and pushed me to follow my desire. It made me believe that things that were seemingly impossible are possible to be achieved. At the same time, I was grateful for one more thing, for the simple fact of being there. I felt the gratitude in every moment and everything I was doing so that when I went back I felt that I lived the given time at the sea at the fullest.

With the circumstances we are in the given time and place, our mind will often tell us that certain things are impossible to attend and achieve. Despite any obvious impediments we need to sharpen our hearing and listen to the calls for anything that is there for us. Listen to your internal voice for apparently not-possible-to-come-true-at-present desire and don’t stop until you have it; and as often as you need it for as long as it is necessary. When you do achieve, allow yourself to enjoy, let the shooting feelings of excitement charge your batteries, breathe in the wonderful scent of your reached ‘need’, and smile. Life would be beautiful again.

Yes, we may appreciate having more of something that we don't have anymore, but if we are offered a chance to have that thing again, I hope we will be smarter. And here I am talking about things that we earnestly need. Things that without which we would not feel complete. Things that are call-of the-heart such as a regular dose of the sea, a hike in the mountains, time spend with our partners, parents, friends, pets etc. Everyone should know what is their ‘call of the heart’. Only when we have everything in place we feel complete. It’s like constructing a puzzle. When we miss a piece, the puzzle it’s incomplete. When the missing piece falls in right place at right time, we feel overwhelming joy.

With a clear awareness of living in the present moment and feelings of gratitude, we may manage to appreciate what we have while we have as well cherished the sweet memories of what was in the past, without feeling incomplete. Fulfilling my urge did three important things for me: it improved my mood, it gave me the hope for many other great things I wanted to do and thought I couldn't, and made me appreciate more what I have when I have it.

Today I am thankful for the sea, places, and people that improve my mood and make me feel alive, yet at peace. I promise never again take you for granted.