Collecting Moments

Collecting moments, not things. The beach is my happy place, and today I'm soaking it all in. Finding joy in the simple things, waves, sunshine, and gratitude. Here's to healing, happiness, and horizons that never end. At this stage of life, I'm choosing peace, purpose, and plenty of beach days. Standing tall, embracing life, and welcoming every blessing that comes my way.

 Beach days are my super-charge days, except that the waves crash so many times into you while bathing that you forget that it will hurt later on, but what the heck? It was worth it!

Blue Mind: Why the Sun, Sea, and Sand Are the Ultimate Mental Health Therapy

Blue Mind: Why the Sun, Sea, and Sand Are the Ultimate Mental Health Therapy

In our fast-paced, digital world, stress can easily become our default state. When the weight of daily responsibilities feels overwhelming, the best prescription isn't found in a pharmacy—it’s found outdoors.

There is a profound physiological and emotional shift that happens the moment you step onto a coastline, feel the sea breeze, and look out at the open water.

This isn't just a pleasant feeling; it is a scientifically proven phenomenon known as the "Blue Mind" effect—a mildly meditative state characterized by calmness, peacefulness, and general happiness, triggered by water.

Here is exactly how the powerful combination of sun, sea, and sand works to heal our minds and restore our mental well-being.

1. The Sea: A Natural Reset Button for Stress

The ocean speaks directly to our nervous system. The repetitive, rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore acts as a natural white noise, slowing down our brainwaves and inducing a deeply meditative state.

• Vagus Nerve Activation: Breathing in the fresh, salty sea air—which is charged with healthy negative ions—helps accelerate our body's ability to absorb oxygen and balances our serotonin levels.
• Visual Meditation: Looking at the vast, blue horizon reduces visual clutter, allowing our overstimulated minds to rest, reset, and find perspective.

2. The Sun: The Catalyst for Joy

We often think of the sun in terms of physical health and Vitamin D, but its impact on mental health is immediate and profound.

• The Serotonin Boost: Sunlight exposure triggers the brain to release serotonin, the hormone responsible for boosting mood, keeping you calm, and helping you feel focused.
• Better Sleep Quality: Getting natural sunlight early in the day regulates your circadian rhythm (your internal body clock). Better sleep at night directly correlates with lower anxiety and higher resilience during the day.

3. The Sand: Grounding Your Nervous System

When was the last time you took off your shoes and walked barefoot on the earth? The physical act of walking on sand is a powerful mindfulness practice known as grounding or earthing.

• Mindful Awareness: The shifting, granular texture of sand beneath your feet forces you into the present moment. It demands awareness of your body, pulling you away from looping, anxious thoughts.
• Physical Release: Walking on sand requires more effort than walking on pavement, releasing physical tension and pumping endorphins through your system.

Choosing Nature is Choosing Yourself

Taking time to sit by the water, feel the sun on your skin, and listen to the tide isn't selfish; it is essential maintenance for your mind. Nature doesn't ask anything of you. It doesn't demand performance, answers, or constant availability. It simply invites you to exist.

Next time you feel the walls closing in, head toward the coast. Let the sun warm your spirit, let the sand ground your body, and let the sea wash away your stress.

 

#MentalHealthMatters #BlueMind #CoastalTherapy #NatureHeals #Mindfulness #OceanTherapy #BeachMeditation #SelfCare #WellnessJourney

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The Art of Balance: What a Stack of Beach Stones at Mission Beach, Toco Taught Me About Life

There is a unique magic to a rocky beach. Unlike the smooth, predictable expanses of pure white sand, a pebble shore forces you to look down, pay attention, and appreciate the endless variety of shapes, colors, and textures shaped by the ocean.

On my recent trip to the northeast coast of Trinidad, I found myself sitting among thousands of these weathered stones at Mission Beach in Toco. Listening to the rhythmic pull of the tide against the rocky shoreline, I decided to slow down and create something. I gathered a few smooth, grey stones and built a simple rock cairn.

Looking back at the photo I took, I realized this little stack of stones holds a much deeper meaning than just a beachside pastime.

Finding Stillness in the Chaos

The background of this photo shows the restless, moving sea—a perfect mirror for our daily lives, which are often fast-paced and chaotic. But right there in the foreground, completely still against the shifting sand and waves, is the stone tower.

Building it right on Mission Beach required focus. It forced me to quiet my mind, look at the unique contours of each pebble, and find the exact center of gravity. In a world that constantly tells us to move faster, Toco reminded me of the absolute necessity of standing still.

Embracing Our Imperfections

None of these stones are perfectly round. Some have rough edges, others are jagged, and a few are marked with striking white veins running through their dark grey surfaces.

Yet, when stacked together, their imperfections are exactly what make them stable. The unique ridges of one stone lock into the grooves of the next. It’s a beautiful reminder that we don’t need to be perfect to find balance. Our quirks, scars, and history are the very things that give us a solid foundation.

One Layer at a Time

When you look at a balanced stack of rocks, it seems so simple. But it only works if you respect the process. You can’t rush the top stone before ensuring the base is secure.

Life works the exact same way. Big goals and inner peace aren't built overnight. They are constructed slowly, choice by choice, layer by layer.

Next time you find yourself taking a drive up to Toco, I highly encourage you to pull over at Mission Beach. Put down your phone for a moment (after taking a quick picture, of course!) and try stacking a few stones. You might be surprised by the quiet wisdom you find waiting for you on the shore.

#MissionBeachToco #TocoTrinidad #TrinidadBeaches #VisitTrinidad #IslandLife #RockStacking #MindfulnessMatters #TriniLime #DiscoverTrinidad

Fifty and Independent

*Fifty and Independent: The Age I Finally Got the Memo* Fifty is the plot twist nobody warns you about. Not a crisis, not an ending. It’s the chapter where you stop asking permission. 

 *1. Independence stopped meaning “alone”* At 20, independent meant paying your own rent. At 30, it meant carrying everything without flinching. At 50, it means choosing. Choosing who gets my time, my energy, and my attention. I can fix a faucet and ask for help in the same week. That’s not contradiction. That’s power. 

 *2. I quit renting space in my head to other people’s opinions* The committee that used to live there got evicted. I wear the bold necklace. I leave the party early. I say “no” and let the silence do the explaining. The freedom at 50 isn’t that you stop caring. It’s that you finally know what’s worth caring about. 

 *3. My body keeps the receipts* Gray in my hair, laugh lines, a few scars. Every one of them is a story I survived. I’m not trying to look 30. I’m trying to look like me, on purpose. Strength looks different now. It’s in stamina, in boundaries, in the way I catch myself before I overextend. 

 *4. Time is my favorite currency* I spent decades spending it on “should.” Now I invest it. In tea that isn’t rushed. In friendships that don’t need performance. In work that pays me back in meaning, not just money. At 50, my calendar is a values statement. 

 *5. Joy got uncomplicated* It’s a yellow dress for a wedding. It’s saying yes to a camping beach trip because I want to go, not because I need to get out. It’s realizing I don’t need a reinvention. I need to remember who I was before the world told me who to be. 

 Fifty isn’t the downhill slide. It’s the high ground. You can see further from here. You know which roads lead nowhere. And you’ve got the nerve to take the scenic route anyway. This isn’t about aging gracefully. It’s about living deliberately. The gray, the grin, the statement jewelry. 

All of it says the same thing: I’m here, I’m mine, and I’m not done. I'm ready to keep living, keeping in mind it's not always going to be a bed of roses, but being the best navigator with God being my ultimate guide.

Hello Readers: Fibromyalgia Update

Hello my wonderful readers, it's been ages since I've posted anything for you all, a lot has been happening over the years in my life.

The photo above is what I look like now at 44 I'll be 45 in December 2020.

So I'm happy and excited to tell you guys about my Fibromyalgia journey thus far, I'll share the positives only, I've never been hospitalized and no surgeries thank God!

I've learned that acupuncture sessions a few times a year helps me with the pain, I've learnt that green foods such as cabbage, all lettuce,greens, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers,cucumbers, are not good for me the great information that causes me pain also "cold foods" like tomatoes, and watermelon causes me to have pain..... since I've stopped eating these foods I can say I'm 90% pain free, the only pain I'll have is just growing old pains! Lol...so you can try this for me to get the benefits of green in my diet I use wheatgrass in juice.... I get flare ups on my pressure points the usual spots we all get pain that is my signal to start on my acupuncture treatments again as well as getting your lymphatic system drained!

Have lots more to share soon, stay safe love you guys and God bless you.

Understanding Fibromyalgia

It's been a while writing about anything, but with all the recent developments in studies on new symptoms that Fibromyalgia patients face every day. I've decided that it was time to write a little piece on understanding fibromyalgia.

A common chronic pain condition, fibromyalgia is a pain-processing disorder that causes widespread pain throughout the body. The disorder can result in sleep problems, emotional and mental distress, as well as fatigue.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 4 million Americans suffer from fibromyalgia. The National Fibromyalgia Association reports that women account for 75 to 90 percent of those who are diagnosed with the disorder, but the disease can also occur in men and children.

Fibromyalgia is a poorly understood condition that causes pain and fatigue all over the body in the joints and muscles. It is the second most common disorder that affects the muscles and joints. It does not have a cure, but it is possible to manage your symptoms so that you can live a happy and productive life.

Doctors are uncertain what causes fibromyalgia, but it is believed that it is caused by signaling problems in your brain when it processes pain signals that are sent from the peripheral nerves. Fibromyalgia is more likely to occur in the following people:

• Women
• People who do not regularly exercise
• People who have arthritis
• People who suffer from depression or anxiety
• People who have family members who experience fibromyalgia
• People who have PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)

People who have fibromyalgia will generally feel achy all over. The most common symptoms of the disorder include the following:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Sleep problems
• Depression
• Nervousness or anxiety
• Fatigue
• Painful joints
• Muscle pain or a burning sensation in the muscles
• Low pain threshold

Common Treatment Options

Your doctor may prescribe you different medications for your specific symptoms, including sleep aids, pain relievers, antidepressants, and muscle relaxers. Many people who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia are also told to engage in regular exercises such as yoga or tai chi that are low-impact and of a moderate intensity. You may also benefit from seeing a counselor to help you deal with the emotional issues that you are facing because of your fibromyalgia.

Alternative Treatments

There are a variety of alternative treatments that may help you manage your fibromyalgia symptoms. You may find that certain supplements, such as St. John’s Wort and melatonin, may help encourage sleep and minimize depression. Many people benefit from therapeutic massage and acupuncture. You should make sure that you get enough sleep each night. There is some evidence that mindfulness meditation, guided imagery, and biofeedback may offer some help to people who suffer from fibromyalgia. If you maintain a healthy weight, you may also help reduce some of the pain symptoms.

Good nutritional choices may help to relieve the symptoms of fibromyalgia. You should strive to eat a well-rounded diet that includes lean meats, dairy products, green vegetables, whole grains, fruits, nuts, and unsaturated fats. Eating certain foods regularly may help to reduce symptoms of fatigue, including the following:

• Avocado
• Olive oil
• Almonds
• Tofu
• Steel-cut oatmeal

(It was recommended that dark green leafy vegetables be used) But from my experience, I personally would not recommend using anything green as well as no cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes as they are considered to be cold foods that increase inflammation that contributes to joint pain.

Since I haven't been eating these foods I have little or no pain..... What I do use in terms of vegetables are pumpkin, beets, carrots, chickpea, pink beans, black-eyed peas, lentils, and baked beans. 

Acupuncture works wonders for the pain, I do treatments at least 4 times a year it's awesome!

One study dating from 2000 found that eating a vegan or vegetarian diet may help to relieve the symptoms of fibromyalgia. However, not everyone is able to follow a diet that is that restrictive. If you are unable to do so, try to choose healthy, non-processed foods instead of purchasing boxed and canned goods.

Prognosis

Fibromyalgia does not have a cure, and people who have it may expect to live with chronic, widespread pain for years. However, the disorder does not cause damage to your organs or make you likelier to die earlier. Fibromyalgia is also associated with higher rates of disability for people who suffer from it, but exercise and making healthy choices can minimize your likelihood of becoming disabled from it.

After you have been diagnosed, you may find that your symptoms improve when you undergo some of the treatments. Making the recommended lifestyle changes, exercising more and eating a healthy diet may also help to relieve your pain, improve your mood, decrease fatigue and help you to sleep.

Some people who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia experience significant improvement in their pain symptoms and sleep problems by making these lifestyle changes. It is important for you to keep in mind that you are at risk for developing worsened symptoms if you do not exercise, make healthy eating choices or maintain a healthy weight. With proper treatment and stress-reduction techniques, you may successfully manage your symptoms and enjoy living a long and healthy life despite your fibromyalgia.

40 and still going

While hiking through the forest yesterday along the Marianne River, looking at nature and all its challenges, I overcame them with minor difficulty. I always thank God for helping me make the impossible possible. While sitting on a rock at the edge of the river, I realized something and asked myself how much more I can push myself, how much my body can take? How much is too much? I normally use the phrase '' It won't kill me to try, but it can if you are not careful...... Yesterday, my bag was packed with every possible medication required if anything was to go medically wrong with me, from diabetes medication, asthma pump, to Singulair to open my lungs in case of restriction, which I took in advance, and then some Neurobion Forte, which contains several B vitamins required for normal metabolic processes in the body, which in my case helps with nerve pain. I take the risk at times to keep myself active and to take control of my body I can't let my body over-rule my mind ....So I took the challenge and survived the rain in water-soaked clothes, my heart racing, me having to pull my own weight up at times and needed help on two occasions, from avoiding myself slipping of ledges into the river some time 10 -15 feet down, my lungs feeling at times as if it will burst... and with shoes water- soaked that crossed the river and after all that I plunged myself into the cold river water for a short swim. All this makes life awesome, exciting, and worth living. Truly, God has blessed me with a strong will, determination, and some craziness, and I won't trade that for anything! Not forgetting this morning, my legs were hurting from all the stretching and climbing, minor things, 40 and still going ‪#‎Fribrofighter‬