A View From A Kayak

For six summers now, I have the opportunity to paddle peacefully on Ossipee Lake off the shores of Camp Nellie Huckins in Freedom, New Hampshire.  As one of the camp nurses, I spent 4 weeks here with my daughters (who are also campers!) at this all-girls  garrison  which has been operating for over 90 years.

I love summer and its outdoor activities.  And while yes, I am working, there are usually daily opportunities to experience camp’s bucolic surroundings.  In this old fashioned atmosphere, pine trees, swimming, and s’mores are always in style.

One of my favorite activities, and also one I try to do as soon as possible after arriving here, is paddle in a kayak a short distance from the beach towards the island that is owned by the camp.

I then turn the nose of the kayak around so I am looking back at Camp Huckins.  From that distance, I can still see and hear the activities of camp.  I get to view my favorite mountain overlooking the lake although I need to figure out its name.  (There are many rolling mountains and giant hills surrounding Lake Ossipee–beautiful!)

Several thought processes are happening with me in this one moment, and yet no necessarily blending with each other.  First, I find relief in a constant, viewing that mountain every year to know that I am exactly back to where I need to be.

Secondly,  in the kayak, I am changing my view (literally) of camp.  But metaphorically speaking, I find this reminds me that it is important to be happy with my beliefs, but to also remember to keep my heart open to other possibilities.  I love growing and changing as a person, and I know this is only able to happen if I remain patent.

I am actually writing these notes from the kayak.

And finally, all analogies aside, it’s a sunny day on the water!  Let me soak up some rays and relish in the cooling waters of the lake.

So often, New Year’s Eve is a time for reflection and preparation of personal goals.  I find I use this kayak paddle in the middle of July for that.  I feel so energized and yet peaceful afterwards that I hope to incorporate this practice periodically at other times throughout the year.  At the top of a ski mountain or in my garden harvesting my herbs might be good opportunities to open up and breathe and allow me to refind my path.