Henley Beach: Grounding My Spirit in the Sand**

Today, my feet met the soft, white sand of Henley Beach. The moment I stepped onto it, I felt the Earth’s quiet hum beneath me — a deep, steady rhythm that’s been here far longer than I have. Each grain of sand wrapped around my toes, warm from the sun, whispering stories of tides, winds, and time.

I closed my eyes and let my soles sink in. This was more than walking barefoot — it was grounding. Connecting. I could feel my heartbeat slow, my breath deepen, as though the land and I were breathing together. The ocean stretched endlessly before me, a mirror of blue sky scattered with cotton clouds, and the gentle waves rolled in like a calming lullaby.

Seagulls strutted and called out, reminding me to keep playful and light. Their shadows skimmed across the wet sand, where the tide had just kissed the shore. I stood there, feeling the cool water brush over my feet, washing away any heaviness I’d been carrying.

Henley Beach holds a quiet beauty — a space where my mind settles, my spirit lifts, and I remember that I am part of something vast and ancient. These moments remind me why I create art: to capture the feelings that words alone can’t hold, to honour the connection between land, water, and soul.

As I walked back across the sand, I felt nourished, renewed, and grateful — for the ocean’s song, the Earth’s embrace, and the grounding gift of simply standing barefoot on Country.