One of the beautiful old cottages still present with memories of Old Nags Head.
As concerned Americans, many of us staying home as requested and worried about the future know that these are, indeed, trying times for us. For me personally, I spend some of the time pondering what this means to not only me in Florida, but to all throughout this special land that I hold so dear. And there is no place on earth that enters my mind more frequently than Nags Head on the North Carolina Outer Banks, the place that was my summer home in the growing up years before going off to college. I know that people there, and in so many places, are worried about what will be left to return to when the scourge of the virus is over.
I have a suggestion that might be of help. It's one that is not complicated, but it would definitely give us hope and I borrow it from my thoughts of those years long ago when I was a boy walking on the beach at Nags Head. Now I know that all year round Outer Bankers are especially worried about the immediate future and that's normal. But here's something you might try to help ease your burden. If you are on the Outer Banks and you are bored, worried and probably wondering how you are going to pay the bills and buy the groceries, first go down by the ocean and take a long leisurely walk along the shore. With few people around, you can really focus on nature's wonders, the clean and warm sand under your toes, the waves washing ashore, the crystal clear blue skies and the warmth of the glorious sun. I imagine that today it is not dissimilar to a summer day back in those boyhood days. And don't forget to observe the wildlife, including the many birds, like gulls, pelicans and the little sandpipers rushing around and the dolphins rolling over and under the waves like the acrobats they are. As you walk breathe in the fresh, cool and salty air and blow all of the stress out when you exhale. Then, when tired, sit on the beach dune and think about what you are facing and what the sight before you means. Hopefully, the beauty of nature will make the nearness of God reality so that you can then turn all those worries over to God sincerely. Praise him thoughtfully, and tell him of the troubles you face and give him some time to help. And then, take time to ponder how we as a society got where we are today and what each of us can do individually to improve our lot. It's amazing how each of us, if we focus, can identify our shortfalls and vow to change what we've done going forward. After all, living for the here and now without any thought to what it means to our future, a feature of our current society, hasn't worked, at least not in our current situation, has it? And all of us are guilty of that whether we like it or not, for it is a natural action from mankind when wants are allowed to take the place of needs as a priority. When we look for the easy answer and think any kind of bailout will save us, in reality it just delays the inevitable which can often be so much worse. Perhaps we should just slow down a bit and not expect everything to be available with the click of our fingers.
I mentioned my walking on the beach on that glorious shore in my childhood which was in the 1950's and '60's. It was a different place back then, primarily a family beach, not a major tourist destination and we didn't have the fancy restaurants, ultra-fancy hotels and residential palaces which some call a summer home. We could create our own games, make our beach toys out of scraps available and with the modern convenience of a small transister radio it was heaven on the beach without bothering others. No, we didn't have huge and fancy cottages. We had cottages more of the style of that picture shown above by Manteo photographer Bill Hinkle, a special friend of mine, and it was functional, but not fancy, yet it survived the high winds and seas that come with the Outer Banks. And those walks were useful for me as a boy just like it will be for you and still is for me when facing worry. They were noteworthy at times like the year after my father died and I wondered how our family would survive. With the help of God who stood by my widowed mother, all three of us children survived, successfully made it through college and made our way in the world. At the time of my worry, I couldn't have imagined that. And today, some of us can't imagine bouncing back either. But the secret is that when we bounce back with God's help, he will remind us of our limitations and our natural inclinations to push the envelope too far. If we remember that, the future will be better for all of us, maybe a little bit gentler and not so coarse, and maybe with a little consideration for more than just ourselves. I truly believe God can take us there. God bless you all and may God bless America, too. Be safe, persevere and remember, God is with us all the time. Have a blessed day.
I have a suggestion that might be of help. It's one that is not complicated, but it would definitely give us hope and I borrow it from my thoughts of those years long ago when I was a boy walking on the beach at Nags Head. Now I know that all year round Outer Bankers are especially worried about the immediate future and that's normal. But here's something you might try to help ease your burden. If you are on the Outer Banks and you are bored, worried and probably wondering how you are going to pay the bills and buy the groceries, first go down by the ocean and take a long leisurely walk along the shore. With few people around, you can really focus on nature's wonders, the clean and warm sand under your toes, the waves washing ashore, the crystal clear blue skies and the warmth of the glorious sun. I imagine that today it is not dissimilar to a summer day back in those boyhood days. And don't forget to observe the wildlife, including the many birds, like gulls, pelicans and the little sandpipers rushing around and the dolphins rolling over and under the waves like the acrobats they are. As you walk breathe in the fresh, cool and salty air and blow all of the stress out when you exhale. Then, when tired, sit on the beach dune and think about what you are facing and what the sight before you means. Hopefully, the beauty of nature will make the nearness of God reality so that you can then turn all those worries over to God sincerely. Praise him thoughtfully, and tell him of the troubles you face and give him some time to help. And then, take time to ponder how we as a society got where we are today and what each of us can do individually to improve our lot. It's amazing how each of us, if we focus, can identify our shortfalls and vow to change what we've done going forward. After all, living for the here and now without any thought to what it means to our future, a feature of our current society, hasn't worked, at least not in our current situation, has it? And all of us are guilty of that whether we like it or not, for it is a natural action from mankind when wants are allowed to take the place of needs as a priority. When we look for the easy answer and think any kind of bailout will save us, in reality it just delays the inevitable which can often be so much worse. Perhaps we should just slow down a bit and not expect everything to be available with the click of our fingers.
I mentioned my walking on the beach on that glorious shore in my childhood which was in the 1950's and '60's. It was a different place back then, primarily a family beach, not a major tourist destination and we didn't have the fancy restaurants, ultra-fancy hotels and residential palaces which some call a summer home. We could create our own games, make our beach toys out of scraps available and with the modern convenience of a small transister radio it was heaven on the beach without bothering others. No, we didn't have huge and fancy cottages. We had cottages more of the style of that picture shown above by Manteo photographer Bill Hinkle, a special friend of mine, and it was functional, but not fancy, yet it survived the high winds and seas that come with the Outer Banks. And those walks were useful for me as a boy just like it will be for you and still is for me when facing worry. They were noteworthy at times like the year after my father died and I wondered how our family would survive. With the help of God who stood by my widowed mother, all three of us children survived, successfully made it through college and made our way in the world. At the time of my worry, I couldn't have imagined that. And today, some of us can't imagine bouncing back either. But the secret is that when we bounce back with God's help, he will remind us of our limitations and our natural inclinations to push the envelope too far. If we remember that, the future will be better for all of us, maybe a little bit gentler and not so coarse, and maybe with a little consideration for more than just ourselves. I truly believe God can take us there. God bless you all and may God bless America, too. Be safe, persevere and remember, God is with us all the time. Have a blessed day.
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