Stay Out of the Way

This post begins where we all began, really.

The beach. 

This post also features something that was found on a beach. Though a beach very far from here.

This pendant features a piece of sea glass that was collected from Golden Gardens and, as it's creator described, "smoothed by the spirited, salted waters of the Puget Sound."

This pendant was a gift from a kindred soul, a lady after my own heart, Melina. Several months ago, a post she wrote moved me to donate to her cause - being a brave soul making her way in the world as a professional freelance writer and blogger. I've spent countless hours reading her posts, laughing aloud and aching alongside her.

In much the same way, last Thursday's commute home found me hoping that her note would arrive and then profoundly moved when the universe saw fit to grant my wish.

Stay out of the way, she wrote. A little more trust, patience and curiosity will do me/you a world of good. No more trying to predict and control and demand answers out of uncertainty.

It's rather beautifully simple, really. But then again, the hardest and the wisest things often are.

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My knee had continued to frustrate and confound me this week. I hadn't run since last Friday and I'd been aching to get back to it. The symptoms have been freakishly consistent, but the pain comes and goes. Yesterday I submitted to the Alex's well-trained fingers. We unearthed more knots than I can count. Today, pressing on one in the middle of my IT band I felt the pain shoot down my thigh and radiate in my knee. Feeling that, I am now hopeful that with some further sports massages perhaps I can put this madness behind me and get back to my miles.

Healing can be so maddening. But I am trying to stay out of the way and allow my body to tell me what's the right next step.

Since Thursday, I find myself reaching for my little piece of sea glass from the Great Pacific Northwest frequently. It's funny how quickly it's become a touchstone. A reminder of the power of tide.

And time.