Settling into your body now.
.
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Allowing it to be as comfortable as possible.
.
.
Making any last adjustments.
.
.
Before setting off on this relaxing kayaking journey.
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Closing your eyes.
.
.
Taking a deep breath.
.
.
Allowing your lungs to fully expand.
.
.
Filling every corner of both lungs with fresh,
Clean air.
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Gently releasing the breath.
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Feeling the body settle and relax even more.
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With the complete exhale.
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.
It is a beautiful summer day in Lexington,
South Carolina.
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.
The perfect day to go kayaking.
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.
You load up your bright yellow kayak atop your vehicle.
.
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Securing it in place.
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You grab your waterproof bag with the essentials.
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A bottle of water.
.
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Sunglasses.
.
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Sunscreen.
.
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And chapstick.
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Your hat and life jacket are already in your vehicle.
.
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Along with the paddles.
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.
Making your way towards Lake Murray.
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.
You notice the big,
Beautiful,
White puffy clouds.
.
.
Scattered across the mid-morning sky.
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.
You've picked the perfect day.
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You decide to explore a new cove area a friend recommended.
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It tends to be more secluded.
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Quieter.
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With fewer people.
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And less boat traffic.
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The road down to this cove is approaching.
.
.
Turning down the narrow dirt road.
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You see only one other car parked.
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.
Perfect.
.
.
Carefully unloading your kayak from atop your vehicle.
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You walk it down to the water.
.
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Making sure you have all you will need.
.
.
Which isn't much.
.
.
You like to keep it simple.
.
.
Zipping up your life jacket.
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You step into your kayak.
.
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Taking a seat.
.
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Settling in.
.
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And getting comfortable.
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With a smile on your face.
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You scooch forward a few times.
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Until the kayak breaks free from the shore.
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.
Such a wonderful feeling.
.
.
Those first few seconds.
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When the kayak has let go of the shore.
.
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And is now freely floating.
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You take in a deep breath.
.
.
Letting out a deep healthy sigh.
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Just like the kayak let go of the rocky shore.
.
.
You too let go.
.
.
As you are now free.
.
.
And floating.
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Gently placing one side of the paddle into the water.
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You push yourself along the shore.
.
.
Inside the cove.
.
.
Your friend was right.
.
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This place is beautiful.
.
.
Peaceful.
.
.
Serene.
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Paddling along the shore.
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You see an egret standing as still as the night sky.
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Waiting to catch its lunch.
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You sit and wonder at how incredible nature is.
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Paddling a little farther out.
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.
Away from the shore.
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Away from the shade of the trees.
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You feel the sun beam down on you.
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.
It feels so good.
.
.
You're grateful to have brought your sunglasses.
.
.
Sunscreen and a hat.
.
.
The sun is sparkling intensely off of the smooth water of Lake Murray.
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.
There is so much to explore.
.
.
So many new things to see.
.
.
Up ahead there appears to be a little campsite.
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.
Housing a couple of picnic tables.
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A family with three small children wave to you from the shore.
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Your heart can't help but smile as you wave back.
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Paddling around a small bend.
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You see even more to explore.
.
.
The cove is larger than expected.
.
.
You come up to a cliff face.
.
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The rock shapes and formation leave you in awe and wonder.
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.
You see a rope tied to a large tree next to the cliff.
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You can't help but smile,
Thinking to yourself.
.
.
The fun people must have jumping into the water.
.
.
Paddling a little further out.
.
.
You notice a pair of swan.
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.
Such beautiful,
Peaceful birds.
.
.
Lazily enjoying their time floating around on this beautiful lake.
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.
On this picture-perfect day.
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You decide to set your paddle down and just float as well.
.
.
Taking in the beauty of the day.
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The sun's rays warming your skin gently.
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The smell of plant life.
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.
Dirt.
.
.
Earth.
.
.
Lake water.
.
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Filling your senses.
.
.
Scenes of beauty all around.
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.
You lean back and close your eyes.
.
.
Resting here for a bit.
.
.
Appreciating all of nature.
.
.
Appreciating the beauty of the day.
.
.
Appreciating all of what life has to offer.
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.
After a few minutes,
You pick up the paddle again.
.
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And start to push your way back towards the cove.
.
.
Taking your time.
.
.
Splashing a little water on your arms and legs to cool yourself.
.
.
The water is clean.
.
.
Clear.
.
.
And refreshing.
.
.
You head towards the cove.
.
.
Taking the long way around.
.
.
Enjoying every moment.
.
.
You needed this today.
.
.
You needed this peace and relaxation.
.
.
Your mind and body are already thanking you.
.
.
You paddle a while longer.
.
.
Grateful for this opportunity to get out on the water.
.
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And to explore a new area.
.
.
You are grateful for your friend's recommendation.
.
.
Slowly,
You begin making your way back towards the shore.
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.
Gently,
The front of your kayak glides into the rocky shore.
.
.
Bringing the kayak to a stop.
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.
You sit here a moment longer,
Taking in the experience.
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.
Knowing full well,
You will be back soon.
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.
May you be safe.
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May you be happy.
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.
May you be healthy.
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.
May you live with ease.
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.
Namaste.
