March 6, 2026
Morning Reflections
The Magic of the Morning Ritual…
There is something powerful about beginning the day the same way, especially when that ritual happens beside the ocean.
This morning on the Venice Pier was one of those beautiful reminders of why I love this practice so much. As soon as I arrived, Pegleg was the first to greet me, flying in like he always does. It still amazes me how these little connections form over time. The pigeons soon followed, flying toward me from every direction before lining up along the pier railing like they were ready for morning roll call.
Out on the water, surfers were catching waves, balancing perfectly as the morning sun lit the ocean in gold. Pelicans glided just above the water, barely moving their wings, making it look effortless as they skimmed across the surface.
Then came one of my favorite moments of the morning. In the distance, dolphins appeared. Seeing dolphins always feels magical to me. It’s like the ocean saying good morning.
I also spotted a bird I hadn’t seen before, a surf scoter—a type of duck. One of my favorite parts of spending time in nature is learning new things like that. There’s always something new to notice if you take the time to look.
My message this morning said it perfectly:
“Tuning into the little things makes me grateful for life’s small joys.”
The truth is, the little things are the big things. The birds, the waves, the sunrise, the quiet moments on the pier. They all remind me how grateful I am for this daily ritual.
Every morning brings something new, and every morning I walk away feeling more thankful than the day before.
Capturing beauty, sharing light.
— Inspire by April
Morning Gratitude Thought:
This morning reminded me how much joy comes from simply paying attention. The little moments truly are the big ones.
