There’s something about the ocean that invites us to breathe differently. After the intensity of the NEA RA, Kelli and I spent a few days in Seaside, Oregon — a small, beloved coastal town where the horizon stretches endlessly, and the waves arrive like a whispered prayer.
We stood near Haystack Rock, that mighty sentinel rising from the shoreline, and felt a deep awe at the immensity of nature and the smallness of man. Both of us felt connected to something beyond ourselves — at peace with the world, if only for a time. The rhythmic sound of the waves washed over us, a natural mantra that brought a quiet joy and deep calm.
In that moment, I experienced a profound perspective shift: a sense of smallness, not as weakness, but as freedom. Smallness in the face of God’s grandeur. Smallness that reminded me I am part of something vast and holy, and that I don’t have to hold the weight of the world alone.
The Spiritual Perspective Shift
Standing on the sand, with the ocean’s breath surrounding me, I was reminded of Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.”
God’s nature — immense and powerful like the tides, yet intimate and gentle like a morning breeze — meets us right where we are. As educators, support staff, and leaders in schools, we spend so much of our year in constant motion: giving, planning, supporting, and carrying the unseen burdens of countless students and colleagues. We often forget that we, too, are invited to simply be still.
To stand before the sea is to remember that God holds the waves and our lives in His hands. We don’t have to manage every crashing wave; we are called instead to rest, trust, and receive His renewing presence.
A Psychological Invitation to Restoration
Psychologists Stephen and Rachel Kaplan’s Attention Restoration Theory beautifully supports what so many of us feel intuitively: nature heals. The Kaplans describe how natural environments engage our minds with “soft fascination” — sights and sounds that gently hold our attention without demanding effort. This quiet attention helps restore our mental energy and emotional balance.
As educators and caregivers, our days often involve focused, high-demand mental work and deep emotional investment. Moments in nature, whether by the ocean or under a tree in our own backyard, give our minds a chance to rest and our spirits a chance to renew.
Finding “Ocean Breaths” in Daily Life
Of course, not everyone can stand before Haystack Rock this summer. But we can all find small ways to create what I call “ocean breaths” in our daily lives.
Maybe it’s a cup of coffee on the porch before the day begins, a mindful walk around the block while listening to birdsong, or a few deep breaths between classes or meetings. These small, intentional pauses are sacred invitations to reconnect to our deeper selves and to God.
A Gentle Invitation
As you move through these summer days, I invite you to seek out your own spaces to be still. Whether by the sea or in a quiet corner of your home, let yourself breathe, release, and remember that you, too, are held.
💙 What is your “ocean breath” moment? I’d love to hear how and where you find renewal — feel free to share in the comments or send me a message. Let’s inspire each other to rest and reconnect.
