There was a time in Hawaii – I will never forget it – when the ocean spoke to me of freedom. A storm was blowing in from Japan, and word in the community was that within a couple of days the surfing would be stellar. That same night, my partner and I awoke at midnight to the thunderous sound of pounding waves. We headed out immediately to check it out at Makena Beach (also known as Big Beach) somewhat nearby.

This was one of the calmer beaches, not a surfer hangout. The waves were already spectacular! There were no man-made lights, save for several small dots twinkling way off in the far distance. When we arrived, the scene that lay before us took my breath away. Makena beach and the water were lit brilliantly by a magnificent full moon. Light clouds flitted in and out in the strong breeze. The rolling huge waves frothed white in the blazing moonlight, crashing wildly on the shore.

We took our shoes off and walked. The beauty and power of the scene were intoxicating, and my soul was unleashed in a way I had never experienced before.

I felt what it means to be just a human being on the Earth, and the inherent freedom of my soul. For just a little while, the pulse of nature ran through me like a jolt of electricity. I felt the wildness and joy of my essence. I was completely alive, and I did not want that feeling to end.

The wild, untamed places discovered in my travels without fail have this affect; they speak to my soul. And I have come to understand this: Our essence is freedom, and we must never let that go.

A brief quote about freedom from Shawshank Redemption:

“Sometimes it makes me sad, though… Andy being gone. I have to remind myself that some birds aren’t meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright.

Too many people don’t realize that their feathers are too bright to be caged. When that changes, the world also will change. It’s time to claim your bright feathers, if you have not done so already.

This is a repost from Sept. 2022 in response to “Danger and Wonder at Peggy’s Cove”, a recent post by my good friend Alegria at Life With Alegria. Her expression of intoxication surrounding her Atlantic Ocean experience reminded me so much of my own experience on a Hawaiian beach (with another ocean) many years ago. I highly recommend that you check out Alegria’s blog, where she explores the many facets of finding your joy in life.

My novelette The Turquoise Heart is currently being offered as a free download. Help yourself to a copy today.