As I sit in what has become my favourite spot, gazing out the window at a cold, frosty yet sunny West Kirby, the smell of my oat latte filling the air, I start to realize how important it is to find a place where I can relax enough to write or edit photos. I don’t find it easy going into new places that I’m unfamiliar with, and it took months of me walking past this coffeehouse before I walked through the door.
I take a sip of my oat latte; the taste is intoxicating, and I can feel it warming me. Once again, people are coming in and out, and as always, I’m sat by the door. I love to feel the blast of cold air when it opens. The shadows the sunlight is casting on the old buildings in front of me are just beautiful, and thoughts of “I wish I could take an interesting photo” come to me. Yes, I might be a good street photographer, but I have no idea how to take photos of landscapes or architecture. I find myself asking the question, “Maybe I should start?” The answer comes back quickly: “ No.”
Outside, I see 3 people with a dog in the sunlight. I wonder what is being said. Maybe they’ve just been for a walk around the water. It’s the perfect morning for a slow walk by the water. West Kirby is a beautiful place, so peaceful with lots of friendly people. It’s a place where people still say hello or good morning as you pass them on the streets, and every time this happens to me, I smile and for a brief moment I feel happy. I feel honoured to live so close to this beautiful place. I have the music that was created for one of the most important documentaries I’ve ever watched “Minimalism” by VVE; playing the music is so calming, this film changed my life, I started to question all the things that I’d brought into my home realising that I didn’t need any of it to be happy. All I need in my life is my wife and son, they are what is important, meaningful time together. If you haven’t watched Minimalism then I suggest you find 90 minutes and give it a watch, it’ll really open your eyes and make you think about what’s important to you.
Maybe I’ll take a few photos if I decide to go for a slow walk by the water. The great thing about West Kirby is that there are plenty of places to just sit and watch the world go by. I wonder how many people that live here appreciate it. I would hope all of them, but I know that won’t be the case. As I sit looking out over the water, I can see the Welsh hills. It’s still crazy to me to know how close to Wales we are. In the evenings, I’ve found myself sitting and just watching as the sun sets behind the Welsh hills. The whole world at that moment is silent, and I never get bored watching the sunset. Both my wife and I enjoy West Kirby. It doesn’t matter if, like today, it’s cold; it’s all about the moment.
You know I haven’t walked out to the islands in over a year. As the tide goes out, you can walk across the soft sand towards Hilbre Island. I’ve done this a few times since we’ve lived in Liverpool. I always take my shoes off and become one with nature. The feeling of the sand surrounding my toes really helps me be mindful. I’ve always had a love of the beach and sea, and I’m so thankful to be living right on the coast, compared to Bury St Edmunds, which was landlocked. This place is heaven on earth.
I didn’t sleep, and again I’ve been having dark thoughts about ending my life. I didn’t want to get out of bed this morning. Yet, I could see the sunlight trying to blast its way through my blinds. My thoughts turned to, “I bet West Kirby looks beautiful.” So I dragged myself out of bed and into the shower, got dressed, grabbed my camera, and came looking for a moment of serenity. Just being by the water, hearing it splashing against the rocks, is enough to slow not only my heart rate down but also my mind starts to become silent. All I can think about is the journey the water has been on to arrive at the shores of West Kirby. I need these moments of clarity. They help me focus on having positive thoughts. I sit and breathe slowly, being mindful, watching the people walking along the shore also enjoying the moment. Again I begin to smile. The sounds of the birds, the water, and people laughing are contagious. It’s hard to feel low when sitting in West Kirby and this morning I needed the time surrounded by the true beauty this world has to offer.
