There's nothing like relaxing with the sights and sounds of the ocean - sun, breeze, waves, and birds. That's just how I spent five fabulous days on an annual get-away with my friend, Bev. It was GREAT!

One quiet morning, the tide made its way out to sea and served its scheduled banquet of fresh food for hungry feathered guests. Some blue heron and seagulls had already enjoyed their fill and now perched soundless on a long sandspit - taking a break between the main course and desert, I assumed.

Down the beach to the right of my ring-side seat, a pole reached about 15 or 20 feet into the air. From on top of the pole two eagles surveyed the celebration and twittered to each other (Yes - they "twittered" not "screeched").

Suddenly the peaceful panorama changed. One eagle lifted off from the pole and glided toward the sandspit. As if on cue, the blue heron and seagulls lifted off and scrambled to the opposite end of the sand while Mr. Eagle made a perfect landing on the large area they had "politely" left him.

After a couple minutes of silence, a small bird fluttered toward Mr. Eagle, crash landed right beside him, and tirelessly hopped around like a young pup yapping at an old dog and trying to get him to play. Here's the conversation I imagined.

L'l Nip (in quick-paced chirps): Hey, Mr. Eagle, you okay?
Mr. Eagle (cool, suave & motionless): I'm good, Kid.
Li'l Nip: Wanna play? - Wanna? Wanna?
Mr. Eagle: Not now, Kid. I'm takin' a break - just sittin' and watchin'.
Li'l Nip: You sure?
Mr. Eagle didn't make a sound.
Li'l Nip - Okay - see ya.

Without another chirp the little bird flew off and Mr. Eagle just kept sittin' and a watchin'.

Reminds me of how much we miss when we're too busy to take the time to simply "be still…"

If you read my last blog entry titled "When a downward spiral hits" you may be thinking that the spiral is why it's been a week since my last entry. But that's not the case. It's actually been an eventful week that took unexpected twists and turns. Here's how it unfolded.

1. Had a great weekend away with 4 friends. We've known each other for years and get together regularly. This time we went away for the weekend and laughed, talked, laughed, ate, and laughed some more. One of the highlights was taking the time for each of us to talk about our accomplishments and frustrations in the first half of this year and what we envision for the rest of the year in each of the 6 areas of life. Another highlight was finding a doll's crib in tip-top shape that I can refinish for one of my granddaughters for Christmas.

2. On the night we returned from our weekend, two of my friends received sad phone calls. One got word that her sister had just passed away unexpectedly at home and the other got word that her sister had had a stroke and was in the hospital.

3. Right after I arrived home from the weekend, I was to leave with my best friend for our annual get away to the beach to just sit and read, talk, and chill out. However, her first grandchild decided to make his appearance 2 weeks late and on the day we were to leave - and not without incident. He had some complications which required extra attention and a little longer stay in the hospital but he and mommy are doing great now.

My friend and I are heading out tonight for a much anticipated time away. When I get back I'll be refreshed and ready to get back at it.

I've been reflecting on my blog entry from yesterday and the experience of the whole day. When I described it to a family member, I realized that what I had learned was valuable to pass on. Here's how it went.

In the morning, I spent some quiet time alone, planned my "to do" list over a cup of coffee, and then started checking emails and reading about what some of my peers were accomplishing. For some reason, I began to get down on myself - what I wasn't achieving and the slow speed I thought I was moving toward my goals. But that was only the beginning. From there, it was a downward spiral.

Have you ever been there?

It's one of those feelings where you just want to be left alone to wallow and yet you want to do something about it because you hate how you feel and you know it's not going to get you anywhere too fast. But what to do?

What I learned yesterday is that sometimes it's good to just stop. Cancel any appointments you can. Close the computer. Put away the papers and plans. Unplug the phone.

And then what?

Then nothing. Or something you wouldn't normally do in the middle of a work day - Play golf. Walk on the beach. Read a no-mind novel. Close the blinds and put in a DVD or video (yesterday's blog tells you what I did).

Let me know what you've done in a similar situation. And if you've never tried it - all you have to do is give yourself permission.

By the way, today I feel great.