Drum roll indeed, Amanda…what an interesting thought for this week! This Friendly Friday Photo Challenge is a fun and fantastic photo challenge co-hosted by Amanda and Snow (who will also be joined by Manja…yayyyyy!!!).

   Join in when you can!

   I am not a sea person…I am afraid of the water, I tan horribly, and the heat just toys with my sanity it seems! Mountains are more me. But I do still love going to the beach as long as I am at a good distance from the water and have a nice umbrella to keep the sun away! It is our favorite thing to do as a family during the summer months here that we unfortunately get very less of and so on a good day, you will find us on the beach! The milieu is always so upbeat with kids and grown ups running  after beach balls, making sand castles, having picnics or just goofing around…all adding to their tales to be added to their pocketbook of memories.

   Very commonly and aptly used as a metaphor for our lives, representing its highs and lows, life unfolds through ebb and flow…through the holding on and learning to letting go. Life has taught us all in some form that we are not in control of all things and acceptance of that fact is crucial in moving forward. The more we try to hold on to things beyond our control, the more they slip away causing distress and anger among other emotions that impact negatively on our well being. Life ebbs and it flows too…we just need to gently remind us of that and while it is easier said than done, it is still the way to move forward…to living a fuller life. We all adapt to circumstances and teach ourselves to face our fears and ride out the storm…we all do it differently, but nonetheless we get it done. Life oscillates between the good and the not so good and sometimes it’s downright cruel. We scream at the top of our lungs, gasping for breath on this roller coaster ride and we also calm ourselves down…we navigate, putting one foot in front of the other. I have always believed that there is a bigger picture to be looked at, a lesson to be learned and while many may roll their eyes and shrug their shoulders, I choose to continue to believe in this, especially when circumstances pin me down and I feel like there is no strength left to get back up.

Thanks Amanda for this week’s beautiful idea.

Monterey ,California

 

Monterey, California

 

Duluth, Minnesota

 

 

Somewhere in Maryland

 

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

 

Plymouth, Massachusetts

 

I found this today at a  burrito place, Baja Burrito, where we had stopped for lunch this afternoon and it caught my eye:)

 

Have a good week you all and thanks for stopping by!