“Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.” —Hermann Hesse
A Quiet Moment is precious time spent alone with one’s thoughts. Away from the hustle and bustle of everyday sounds. Alone time can provide the experience of inner peace and personal growth by listening to your inner voice, enhancing your creativity, improving mental clarity and gathering your strength. Quiet moments can be further enhanced by being with nature or going to a favorite place in your house for reflection.
This first series of pictures shows my favorite Quiet Moment locations close to our house in Maine. This first one below was taken on the grounds of the Ogunquit Museum of American Art, located beside the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Josias River in Perkins Cove. This is one of their many beautiful gardens facing the Ocean plus others with benches scattered throughout.
These next ones were taken on Marginal Way in Ogunquit, not too far from the Ogunquit Museum. This well-known walkway beside the Atlantic Ocean is almost a mile long and is perfect for early morning daily walks. Others enjoy their Quiet Moment while being surrounded by beautiful flowers and manicured lawns on one side and the Ocean on the other.
This last series was taken a thousand plus miles south of Maine, beside the Atlantic Ocean on Kiawah Island, SC. This private beach is made up of ten miles of sand dunes, sea oats and safe habitat areas for local and migrating birds, animals such as deer and bobcats and sea life such as dolphins and turtles. These first two images taken during the morning hours show others enjoying their Quiet Moment, surrounded by the sounds and sights of nature.
I will close with a picture of one of many specular evening sunsets on Kiawah showing the sun casting its red glow on everything. In the distance a few people can be seen standing by the waters edge, someone else is walking their dog, meanwhile I’m taking a few photographs and am completely enthralled by this beautiful scene! (Double click to enlarge the photos.)
Thanks goes to Ritva this week for suggesting our topic and encouraging us to take time out for a Quiet Moment. You can read her excellent post by clicking here.
I will close by sharing a quote I happened to stumbled on. It’s from the last lines spoken by Colin Firth’s character in the movie, A Single Man.
“A few times in my life I’ve had moments of absolute clarity, when for a few brief seconds the silence drowns out the noise and I can feel rather than think,and things seem so sharp. And the world seems so fresh as though it had all just come into existence….”
Maybe because I too have the privilege of daily beach access here on Kiawah, your images from Maine are my favorites this week Sylvia. Your photographs there are really beautiful.
As sea/ ocean lover, I can easily say I loved all those images. The rocky sealine was so raw and the sandy beaches so calm. Beauty can be seen and felt in these images
Great selections Sylvia. I love all those ocean shots.
Maine and Marginal Way. It is the same for me when I visit. It is on the list of “must dos” when home. All the photos took me right back there, and I admit to loving the painter the best today. There is something special about someone who can set themselves up and create on the beach. Thanks for this, Sylvia.
Ah, those benches are in the right place. What a beautiful post, Sylvia!
Thank you, Egidio. Being there early in the morning and spend a little extra time is a wonderful way to start the day!
Sylvia, you have shown us some beautiful places for quiet moments from Maine to South Carolina. I love those benches along the Atlantic Ocean in Maine.
Thank you, Beth. The Marginal Way walking path is almost a mile long. Benches like the ones shown are placed a little distance apart facing the ocean so individuals and families can rest and soak up the beauty. Should you travel to southern Maine sometime, you would probably enjoy going there.