Some of life’s placid moments come when you are motionless, simply observing and the mind is still. It is then that you acquire peace and your surroundings have little effect on you. It’s a thinking process for me, I am one who bears no resemblance to a meditative mind. After a hectic few days and much travel, I’m ready for tranquility.
My gaze follows colorful fishing boats way out in the gulf and closer to the shore I see the last of the jet skis and speed boats halting for the day. The tide brings with it swimmers and paddle boarders. The ocean is settling almost morphed with the sky, making it hard to spot the fine line of the horizon. The sky and sea bear the same hue of aqua. In the distance small islands sit still, like animals emerged from the great waters. This is how unreal this picturesque view unfolds in front of me. It’s almost dusk here; the faint breeze does no justice to the heat. This heat is different, it’s scorching but somehow much needed for excreting that toxic buildup. This faint ocean breeze is helping the palm trees sway a little now and again as to signal their presence here towering above me.
The stout Thai masseuse is working wonders on my legs. Together with this view it satisfies the notion that this could be a little bit of heaven on earth. She’s releasing physical tension but this view too is releasing emotional restlessness. The organic flute music plays rhythmically to the bounce of the small waves as they come to kiss the white sands and ripple away giving chance to another set.
When my thoughts wander from this scene I realize that while I am cleansing my mind and body, I am in turn burdening this woman. She will take home my exhausting energy today. As she kneads into my limbs I feel myself releasing from the tightness. She must obviously feel the tension because she repeatedly returns to the same spot that is finding it hard to detangle. She must encumber some of it. Whether it’s positive or negative energy she will in turn be attached. I wonder how she manages from this task she’s graciously taken on? This must leave her feeling drained at the end of each cycle. How does she do this everyday and yet remain so calm and collective? I understand it is her chosen work, nothing comes easy. We all give up something to gain something. We all take on professions for the betterment of ourselves and some for the betterment of others, those are the fulfilling roles, the gratifying work that is done with compassion. I wonder if she enjoys her work. I’m guessing yes, as she hums, her hands glide and unleash the tightness.
I tell myself my mood shouldn’t shift from the ritual of cleansing so I am trying hard now to enjoy this little bit of paradise I am blessed to have acquired. Her magical hands are doing wonders and instead of quieting my mind and surrendering to the release, once again I find myself deep in thought. Another question, another subject to ponder upon while I steal a bit of serenity.