The reality of life is that we become increasingly tasked to deal with grief, stress and darkness. Somedays it becomes such a burden that the weight literally crushes you. Voices feel like an echo chamber and those who try to help simply become blurred apparitions. Life becomes a tunnel with little hope that the light at its end would ever grow again. You become weak.

It is on days like this that the very best prescription can be as simple as a walk on the beach. A stroll by yourself, feeling the pebbles beneath your feet and hearing the waves crash on the shore. The salt air laps at your nose until you start to get the feeling that you are really not alone. You are surrounded by divinity; a part of anything and everything around you. The weight lifts and the tunnel expands to bright white light. You are gathering strength.

On occasion, when you least expect it but need it most, the Universe has its way of giving you gifts. Sometimes it may come across as serendipity or the right person at the right time in your life. Other times it will be a reminder that you are not alone in the world: a memento from a lost loved one, a phone call out of the blue or even an eagle feather gifted to you on the beach. It is then that you realize you are gathering strength.