Written by Michelle Echterling

 

There's nothing like waking up in the morning and realizing that there is a whole new day awaiting you. Hearing the birds sing and seeing the gentle glow of a sky warmed by a rising sun not yet visible is something I cherish. I found myself starting my day off praying and asking God for His blessings and direction. I lived these wonderful days while in Leading Tickles, Newfoundland. It is a small remote fishing village located on a charming and peaceful cove. My time there was the perfect place to remember God's meaning for creation and the simplicity of His love. As much as you may try, you could not escape from getting back to the basics and falling in love with life again.

 

Watching the tide roll in and the sun rise and set everyday was a reminder of God's mercy and grace for His people. Getting back to the basics of life is what happened to me while I was in Leading Tickles. This modest town had no hotels, gas stations, restaurants, or even cell phone reception. Only one small grocery store was opened and it was jam-packed with items for your daily needs. On each aisle of the store, you discovered a new treasure tucked away in the corner. However, it was the people who lived there that taught me about getting back to the basics and how to enjoy life in a new way.

The people of Leading Tickles exemplified a hard work ethic and a love for their family and friends. They worked from sun up to sun down, never stopping until the job was completed. Although they did not work on Sundays, they filled that day with family, friends, and most importantly, God.  I learned from them the essences of enjoying the simple things in life.

"Stop and smell the roses." "Enjoy the simple things in life." "Live life to the fullest." These are just a few of the sayings that we have heard, but never allowed to take place in our lives. Getting back to the basics in life is often a forgotten thing, a pushed away dream that seems unattainable.

After a few days, I did not want to leave. The simplicity of life was contagious and I found myself enjoying the quietness. Unfortunately, I knew it had to come to an end. Leaving Newfoundland for Montreal, which is the second largest city in Canada, was a difficult transition. I asked myself if this feeling of simplicity that I stumbled upon was ever going to be felt again. I knew that my time in Montreal was going to be extremely different than the life to which I had became accustomed while in Leading Tickles. Seeing the congestion of the traffic, the noise of the bustling city, and looking from out of my hotel room window and seeing an industrial parkway instead of the tranquil ocean made my peace seem to leave. I found myself overwhelmed and I longed for the city to be still. Then suddenly, I realized the same feeling of solitude that I had experienced in Newfoundland could also be obtained in the big city of Montreal. All I had to do was be still and find His peace. No matter where you are, whether it is Leading Tickles, Montreal, or Virginia Beach, you can always return to the basics of life.

 

The basics of life is finding your quiet place with God and then bringing yourself up to His level of strength and love. As students, we can become set in our routine and not even realize that we are missing out on the "little things" in life. The everyday challenges of school and life often overshadow our need for His comfort. When we realize that the basics of life can be ours, no matter where we are located, then we will excel in all that we do. At this moment, take time to savor God's creation and the many blessings that He has given to us as His children.