Today I drove to the beach. This is not an uncommon activity for me, as visiting the ocean allows me to breathe fresh air, quiet my thoughts, and feel more like myself than I do anywhere else.

I imagine many people can relate to this.

I drove to the beach and I parked my car. It was warmer than usual today for January, so I was happy to walk up the sand dune without being charged by a gust of bitter wind. I was comfortable in my hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants (lazy Sunday).

As usual as this time-out from my day was for me, what happened next was somewhat unusual. My phone died.

I am a very organized person. I plan ahead, I am prepared, and I have all my ducks in a row. I never let my phone die! What if my family needs to get in touch with me? What if I have to make an emergency call? These are the questions that bounce around in my head regularly, which prompt me to sufficiently charge my phone before ever leaving the house. I am not sure where my mind was today, but lo and behold, I was left with a useless phone and its black screen.

I wasn't worried. There wasn't anyone that I needed to be in contact with in that exact moment anyway. I was, however, somewhat disappointed that I would not be able to take photos of the waves and the sky and the setting sun. You know, everything does have to be documented...

I dismissed my newfound lack of technology with a shrug of my shoulders and a walk further down the beach. I sat down in the sand and directed my gaze as far as possible, to where the water meets the sky. I was enjoying the weather, the view, and the time spent by and with myself.

I lost track of time. This was partly because of the fact that I did not have a way to check the time, due to my lifeless cell phone, but it was also because I had zero distractions. It was just me and my thoughts. Me and myself. Me and the sea. Being ever present in that moment sent me into a state of relaxation and meditation that I have not reached in quite some time.

Then, I started to really think.

I thought about how amazing life would be if we all tried harder to simply be. This may sound like an oxymoron. Why do we have to try to just be? Shouldn't existing be the easiest, most simple matter of all?

It's funny - we are all so connected today. We are connected to each other via technology to a heightened extent that was unfathomable just a few short decades ago. It is so easy for us to be aware of the actions and thoughts of others, but it has become more difficult to be in touch with ourselves.

My small experience today lead me to have a larger epiphany. Far more time should be dedicated to self reflection and calmness. Only when you know and love yourself can you truly connect with another being on a deep, genuine level.

Being present, today, is something that needs to be practiced. It is not our fault. We did not ask to be born into an era that revolves around networking and constant flows of media.

When we do make a conscious ever to be actively present, though, wonderful things happen. We become more in touch with ourselves, which help us correlate deeper with others. We experience our lives for what they are, and not what we are trying to make them appear to be. We see things - really see them - in a clear light free of the fog that comes with outside distractions.

Today, I drove to the beach. I lived in the moment and connected with myself and the earth. It was one of my favorite days.