Nothing for Granted

No wonder Laura is reminded to appreciate the beauty of
this place each time she steps foot on Roads End Beach

This small creek flows directly into
the Pacific Ocean right at Roads End

We all know the part in Joni Mitchell’s Parking Lot song that goes “don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.” These simple words raise a really important truth about the human condition – we often take way too much for granted. As I spoke with Oregon COASSTer Laura (Roads End) yesterday, she noted that COASST is a really great way to remind oneself of what we often take for granted in our own backyard. That’s right, even folks that live one a fantastically scenic coastline can forget to “stop and smell the roses” from time to time. Laura finds that her monthly walks with her COASST partner on the beach to survey birds is a really valuable trigger to celebrate, appreciate, and enjoy the one-of-a-kind beaches found right here on the Oregon coast. And naturally, when one is rekindled with the treasures they enjoy, for folks like Laura, it stokes the flames even more to take an active role in monitoring, researching, and protecting those riches.  It prompts me to ask a really important question of myself and I hope it does the same for you - what am I taking for granted right now, today, in this moment? I hope you will join me in taking a second to call them out, and then, because no time is like the present, go do something to reconnect or show your appreciation. A great reminder from the impressive volunteers at COASST!