Kat Byles

During my recent trip to Antigua a friend saved the lives of 2 baby sea turtles. And I was reminded to be present to mine.

It was my last day and my head was busy with whether I’d made the most of the trip? Had I created my vision? Was it worth the time and money? What did I need to do today to make sure I get the most of it? Let’s make a plan!

My friend patiently reminded me (again) that this is not how it works in Antigua. Here, you go with what occurs, you relax and see what the day brings. “Oh yes,” I said. This is what I love so much about it. But my thoughts marched on. So when we swerved off the road and screeched to a halt I had no idea why. “What’s going on?”

“There are sea turtles over the road.” He shouted, clearly upset. And with that questioning tone – ‘you blind or what?!’

Well, yes. I was. I had completely missed a troupe of baby sea turtles crawling over the road, as had the cars before us. Ten or so babies had already been squashed into the tarmac.

When Sea Turtles hatch at night they move towards the brightest light. In wild nature this is the beautiful shimmer of light on the Ocean. Now streetlights lining roads are the brightest light so many head towards these instead, and to their death.

My friend found one alive in the middle of the road, picked it up and took him to the sea. I called him Miracle. On the way back to the car he found another in the grasses that had not yet reached the road and we took him to the sea too. I called him Lucky. “Have a good life little fella,” he said and launched him into the turquoise glassy sea. Off he went his head bopping up and down.

There I was so busy with thoughts running around my head about making the most of the day that I was oblivious to the day right in front of me.  I know I’m not alone in this. How often do you completely miss the day, the magic and opportunities right under your nose because you are busy planning in your head, worrying, working it out? And worse, how often do we cause harm?

So with the sea turtles came the reminder (again).

Drop the thoughts.

Be present.

Be free.

Live.

Join me for PR with Heart Antigua, 5-12 March 2016, a 5-day creative business retreat. Immerse yourself in the beauty of white sandy beaches and turquoise Caribbean Sea, a sacred place and time for your heart to rise and prepare to share your positive message with a global audience and fulfil your purpose. With creative inspiration, aligned with nature this becomes natural, graceful, effortless.