This morning, I set out on my paddleboard across our community lake, a little ritual I’ve come to love for starting the day with intentional movement. There’s something about being out there early: the water calm, the world still waking, my body grounding into the board as I move with the flow. It’s magic, subtle energy syncing, awakening, and quietly setting me up for the day ahead.

I wouldn’t call myself a nature watcher, but I notice things. Today, a small crane-like bird perched on a log caught my eye. It reminded me of the larger version I’ve seen many times before. Maybe a baby, now grown, taking its place in the world. A gentle reminder of life’s beginnings.

Then came my favorite lake moment, spotting turtles at the surface before they dive away, sunlight glimmering off their shells and feet as they glide down. Pure playfulness. I paddled, did a little yoga, mixed in some alternate breathing, and finished with a much-needed shavasana.

As I neared shore, I saw a familiar shape by the water’s edge, a turtle. But this time, there was no dive, no glide. The body remained still, the spirit moved on. Another gentle reminder: life is beautiful, but it’s not forever.

That phrase, “we do not live forever, you only have one life“, gets tossed around a lot. My mom used to say, “every day is a gift“. I believed her, but I also used to wonder, what exactly am I supposed to do with that? Some people take it as permission to drop everything and just chase happiness. But that’s not my reality, and I don’t think it was what she meant.

If I left this earth tomorrow without seeing every hope or dream come true, without the ride center built, I’d still be satisfied. Because every day, I do my best. I take care of my family the best way I know how. I do the work that pays the bills the best way I know how. And I move toward the dream in my own time, in my own way.

That turtle, in my perspective, lived its purpose. And in its own quiet way, it gave something beautiful back to the world.

Enjoy the moments. Enjoy the journey.
Thank you, little friend – you brought joy to my morning.