Simple pleasures – J.I.L.L.

Beach for Self Care

I took some time for self care yesterday at the beach. I try to make it to the beach at least once a week, even if only for an hour or so.

Yesterday was 78 degrees, with a light breeze, and only a few clouds. I decided it wasn’t going to get better than that so I grabbed a beach chair and a towel and made the 10-15 minute drive to one of the local beaches.

I enjoyed laying out in the sun, listening to the sound of the waves, watching a family frolic in the waves, watching a pelican float along on the waves, and was lucky enough to see the SpaceX Falcon 9 Starlink launch!!! It was neat to see everybody on the beach standing and looking north to catch the launch. My parents saw a launch from their house on Monday and said they could even see the separation event. This one wasn’t nearly as close as that one. It traveled more east than south. Still pretty cool to see on a random trip to the beach.

I have decided the beach is good for the soul and I must stick to my goal of making it there at least once a week. If not for me, I need to do it for all my loved ones in PA and DE who are enduring the winter!

The little bright spot is the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch

Positive Social Media

I’ve signed up to follow some inspirational and positive Twitter accounts. Here’s what my feed looked like at one point recently:

For those of you who know me, you know I love quotes. And I have yours that you gave me close at heart in Florida, figuratively and literally.

Too often social media divides or depresses. But it doesn’t have to.

I like these quotes (and I LOVE the Golden Retriever Channel on Twitter.) These are little touches too that can help make a big difference.

And like the first quote, by William Feather, it’s important not only to bring these little instances of joy into each day, it’s also important to notice and appreciate them.

Little Touch Follow-Up

First, if you don’t already use a navigation app like Waze or Google Maps when you drive, I highly recommend it. I am a fan of Waze, which will update your route based on real time traffic data. Also, users can share information like when there is a car on the side of the road, debris on the road, or a police car up ahead.

Granted, short drives don’t really warrant using a navigation app. Long distance drives, trips during high traffic times, and driving in unfamiliar places are great for using Waze.

Anyway, one of my favorite features is that you can choose different navigation voices. I like using one of the UK English voices. It became a favorite of mine when it pronounced Lititz Pike (“lit-its”) as “le tits” pike.

My sister uses the Boy Band voice option. It sings the navigation. “🎶In a quarter of a mile, go leeeeft🎶.” It’s so silly. And so simple. And just adds a little touch of joy to driving, which could otherwise be mundane, frustrating, etc.

I hope you notice and appreciate the little touches in the world around you. And if you don’t see enough, consider adding some of your own. Like changing up the voice on your navigation app.

🙂 Love you my friends!