The Highest Appreciation

Today, for the first time in weeks, I felt relaxed. I was at Ritidian Beach in the northern tip of Guam. It’s a quiet secluded area and a perfect spot to unwind.

I’m a doer and if I don’t have a lot of busywork, well that’s no problem, I’ll jump in and create some. I’ve definitely been doing that. I’ve been so thankful for my extra time, that I’ve been slowly filling it up so that everything important to me is squeezed to the side and then I’m just as busy as before.

It can be difficult to stop.

As I took some deep breaths, I focused on the sand’s grainy texture, the cool water and the warm sun. JFK once said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” It’s a hard task for a parent to remember, but one that will ultimately give us great joy.