This past weekend I had a few days off.

While my goal was really to have no goal at all (besides enjoying Thanksgiving with family), I wanted to go for a hike and spend some time in the woods.

I left about mid-morning for a moderate hike of around 3.5 miles, with only a water bottle and my thoughts for an hour or two. It was chilly at first, but a brisk pace helped me warm back up.

There were families and couples on the trail, but for most of the hour and a half I was alone. I listened to my breathing and walked with intention. I tried to be mindful of my surroundings including the wind through the evergreens and the sound of the leaves and roots underfoot.

I stopped a few times to just take it all in and breathe the crisp fall air and the smell of the forest. I felt grateful that I had the time to do this, and that I was physically able to.

After my hike I stopped for some food and then went for a walk on the beach.

I recognize the healing powers of salty air, so I always make time for a short walk on the sand. Even if it’s freezing.

A patch of shells and washed up pebbles caught my eye and I walked towards it. I picked up a piece of broken shell and started sifting through the one inch deep pile. When I was a teenager I used to look through these piles of small rocks and shells for sea glass, and over the years I’d found enough to fill a sandwich bag with clear, brown, and green weathered glass.

Of all the things that travel through the ocean, I always loved finding glass. What was once a bottle broke apart and drifted through the water, becoming smaller pieces of sanded wonders.

But I didn’t have the same time or opportunity to look for sea glass anymore, and I’d given away my collection years ago.

I’ve been looking for the last few years but haven’t found any- until now.

I got on my knees and moved through the pile, shifting shells, small pebbles and tiny pieces of driftwood looking for glass. I was about to give up when I saw a small glint of green weathered glass. I picked it up and examined it, noticing how smooth and rounded the edges were.

I put my newfound treasure in my shirt pocket and began a more thorough search through the pile (which was about 8-9 feet long, and 3 feet wide).

Unfortunately, I didn’t find another piece.

After many years of collecting glass, I’d let it all go. When I realized I wanted to find more, I couldn’t.

Instead of feeling defeated I looked at the small green jewel I’d found, smiled, put in back in my pocket and headed back to my car. The day wasn’t about finding anything at all, it was letting my mind be free to experience whatever happened.

Take care of yourself this holiday season. Find time for self-care, meditation, and love.