As I walked the strand last week I noticed how swiftly each wave receded to make way for the next, how quickly the foam blew away and the sand dried out in between breakers.

If you’re looking for a blank slate, there is no better place than the beach.

And today, the day after Labor Day, we also have a blank slate. A new year of school for Celia, a return to work for me.

Resolutions? I’m taking my long-distance beach vision to the office. It will help me see what’s important and what’s not. When a deadline looms or an email goes unanswered, I’ll remember the scene above. I’ll take a deep breath, lift my eyes up from the screen and stare out the window. This is what I’ll see.