Part 3: Mindful Moments — Annaly Bay / Carambola Tide Pools

Hi there, Zu Blog readers! Today I’m sharing the final chapter of my Carambola Tide Pools adventure. I’ve already told you about the strenuous journey to get there, but now I want to give you a glimpse of what it was actually like to be in the tide pools.

After an intense climb in, my humans and I were ready to slow down. We knew this wasn’t a place to rush. We wanted to be fully present with the wonder all around us. I’ll admit, the zoomies are very real for me. I’m a dog who loves to move fast. The trouble is, when I’m busy zooming from thing to thing, I can miss some pretty incredible moments. In the tide pools, I worked hard to pause, be present, and take it all in.

I noticed the peacefulness of the water. Out beyond the rocks, the ocean was raging (my dad calls it a cruel mistress), but the tide pools themselves were protected. The water was calm, steady, and unhurried. It took its time, and so did we. We noticed beautiful things, like schools of fish swimming nearby, a bird perched beside us, and the waterfall made by the waves. We also noticed things that could be painful if we weren’t paying attention, like sea urchins and crabs with rather large pincers.

When we slowed down enough, we could be present with both the beautiful and the dangerous things around us. I don’t think we should rush through life. Even the hard or complicated moments deserve our attention and care. I think it’s good to be with whatever each moment brings, and to let that moment be what it is, without judgment of it.

Nature has a lot to teach us if we’re willing to learn. It reminds us of patience, presence, and the importance of slowing down. I’m grateful I got to do that with the ones I love and that I could share about it with you. I hope you enjoyed this three-part series on the tide pools. Stay tuned for upcoming posts about Christmas on the island. Smell you later.