Recorded MP3 audio meditations: downloads and audio streams, written reflections and contemplative resources by Dorinda Miller

Written Reflections

Beside the Sea

Summer and seaside are, in my mind, as closely connected as fish and chips and bucket and spade! Growing up in the south of England, the journey to the seaside only took an hour and we would frequently go for day trips in the summer. So, given that we are now in the season of summer, our theme for the next fortnight will be BESIDE THE SEA. We will look at this by taking a theme for each letter of the phrase: B for beach, E for encourage, S for sea, I for insight, D for drown, E for enjoyment, T for tired, H for harbour, E for exit, S for sky, E for everywhere, and A for always.

Beside the Sea - E for Exit

E for Exit

The dictionary informs us that, as a verb, exit means to go away or out; to depart or to leave. Leaving the dark evenings and the colder weather behind us, the season of summer gives us more opportunities to be outside. The warmer weather and lighter evenings provide more scope for outdoor activities and many of us take take holidays during this season.

Spending time outdoors is beneficial. It can boost our creativity and focus,improve our mood and self-esteem, increase levels of Vitamin D, and it allow us to connect with our creator.

“Nature is fuel for the soul”, Richard Ryan (lead author of a study reported
in the Journal of Environmental Psychology in 2010). He also
commented that the study showed that connecting with nature was a
better way to feel more energised than having another cup of coffee!

God speaks through his creation, if only we will take the time out of our busy lifestyles and walk in the countryside! So I would like to encourage you to go into gardens, parks, the countryside, the seaside, and to look at the flowers, shrubs, trees, the sky and the clouds, the sand, rocks and sea.

Take time to simply ‘be’. Take time to ‘look’ and see what is all around you. Take time to stop, to be still and to absorb the sights, smells, sounds of creation. Listen to what the creator, wants to communicate to you through creation!

Record your reflections from outdoors in your Journal and close by reading Psalm 148.

Written by Dorinda Miller; © D Miller 2018. For full credits please see the site credits page

Next Reflection:

S for Sky