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Things To Consider Today By Leland Pulley

Beach Trips And People

Each summer millions of people head for the beaches to enjoy themselves while the weather is good and vacation time is available. Our family has done this many times and so have our friends and neighbors. Why do people do this? There are lots of good reasons. People want to get outdoors and enjoy nature. They like to take trips and see different scenery. They want to do different things and enjoy activities that cannot be done where they live. They want to relax and be carefree and simply unwind. They enjoy eating some different food.

My wife and I like the beach and the small towns along it. I also like to observe the other people there and what they’re doing. We have gone to beaches in California, Oregon, Hawaii, New Jersey, Virginia, and Florida. All these vary in their natural settings, but the enjoyment they bring us comes with every trip.

It’s good to do some planning for your beach trip. Where do you want to go and where will you stay each night? Consider the activities you want to participate in, and what may be required for them. For example, if you expect to swim, take your swimming suit and beach towel. Make sure your have appropriate clothing for all weather conditions. Have some activities planned, but don’t run by a schedule while at the beach. Plans can change and this is OK. Remember, you’re on vacation and not at work. You may or may not do everything you desired, but at least you thoroughly enjoyed what you did do.

Sometimes it’s hard to leave at home your thoughts about work, bills, or other concerns. But it’s important to literally get away. Otherwise, you’re not fully on vacation. Your mind should be focused on where you are and what you’re enjoying at the beach each day.

While at a beach area, it’s beneficial to take in as much as possible of what that area offers. You do not know when you will return, if you ever do.

Do some things that you and other family members like to do. My wife and I like to take walks together and look at the scenery. She loves to take photos of all types of things. We like to visit historic sites or museums located near beaches. Going to different restaurants is always enjoyable, especially when we can try out a variety of recipes that we don’t eat at home. Wandering through various types of stores is interesting, if not amusing at times. When our kids are with us, fires on the beach at night are a favorite activity. When our children were younger, we built sand castles like we see other families do today as they play with their kids on the beach. We have played sports on the beach and rented four wheel carriages to pedal around town. We have taken a dog to the beach, who played with our kids in the water and on the beach. We had a family reunion at the beach. There are so many things that we’ve done at the beach, it makes me realize why we return again and again. Good beach areas offer a lot of possibilities and people will utilize these in one way or another. This is why we and others will come back for more.

Some people like to do more things at the beach than others. For example, I see parents and kids who go to the beach and camp for the day. They have their beach blanket to sit on, towels to dry themselves afer getting in the water, umbrellas for shade, food to eat, books to read, radios for music, things to dig in the sand, kites to fly, etc. These folks take in a full day at one location on the beach. In contrast, others like my family go to the beach for a while and then leave it to go to shops or other places. We then come back that same day for another walk along the beach or to see the sunset or to build a fire on the beach. We are on the go more than the families who stay all day at one location on the beach.

Besides enjoying activities at the beach, I like to do some personal thinking in the calm, beautiful, and relaxed settings there. For example, watching the daily tides come in and go out reminds me of the ocean regenerating itself and the beach area. This is healthy for nature in many ways. It makes me stop and ask how often do I stop and regenerate myself. It’s good to do this regularly. You can do it daily through planning, journal writing, prayer, mediation, exercise, etc. These are all ways to have better control of your life on a daily basis, and recharge your batteries at the same time. Other types of regeneration occur less frequently. Some good examples are weekend retreats, special social occasions, family reunions, holiday activities, and yes those trips or vacations to the beach.

Another thing I personally like to do at the beach is observe the people there and take mental notes on their behavior and activities. This is as interesting to me as enjoying the beach itself, or doing some of my personal thinking. For example, on a recent beach trip I saw people of different nationalities, age, and sex who were all enjoying the same thing. Why? What was pulling them all to the beach? They must have some common needs to fulfill and desires they want to satisfy . It gives me a feeling of closeness and unity with my fellow human beings.

Another observation is all the ways people show their individuality at the beach. They dress differently. They eat different foods at different restaurants. They play different sports. They take different pictures with their cameras and video cameras. They attend different movies, plays, and concerts. They stay at different types of hotels, motels, and campgrounds. They buy different things in different stores. This freedom of expression through what individuals can do is one thing that good beach areas offer to people. This is another reason people go to such areas.

Beaches offer a lot to all of us. They are part of our natural environment. We must protect and preserve them. I do not like to walk along the beach, like on our last trip, and see trash left by people. They should clean up after themselves. Likewise, people should watch what they say to others and what they do around others in public places like a beach. This helps everyone to enjoy the social environment there. There needs to be patience in lines inside stores and restaurants, while walking down crowded sidewalks, and driving in traffic. This makes less than desirable conditions more tolerable for everyone.

Hopefully, those of you who go to the beach this summer will enjoy yourselves. Relax and have a good time. Come home refreshed and ready to do better in life than before you left. Good fortunes for all of you in all your travels and activities.

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