As I tap the keys on my computer keyboard, the ferocious winds outside my beachfront condo are howling and rattling the storm shutters. It seems to be saying “I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll try to blow your condo down.” Or, perhaps it is saying, “Feel my power and respect it.” You know, I like the second voice far more than the first one.

You might well ask, “What are you doing staying in a beach evacuation area, on a barrier island, in the middle of a hurricane named Frances?” Some subjective folks could possibly answer … “Where there is no sense, there is no feeling.” However, the simple answer is, it is for me, a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one that I would not have wanted to miss.

Proceeding at just five miles per hour, Frances probably will be known as the slowest-moving, most widespread hurricane in the history of Florida hurricanes. With wind gusts up to 105 miles per hour, the enchantress who is guiding the storm is in no hurry to move on. It is moving over a 300-mile coastal front. South, Central and Northern Florida are all experiencing the effects of the power of Hurricane Frances.

All local TV stations give 24-hour coverage, hyping up the fear and anxiety, continually pounding viewers with all the terrible things that could occur. I think people already know what damage can be done in a hurricane without being brainwashed continually on every station. To be fair, the meteorologists do a super job in tracking the storm and locating its land fall, but all the rest of the hype is magnifying unnecessary stress.

How much better it would be if they showed tension-easing meditation classes, stress-reducing programs and played pacifying, soothing music to help people relax and enjoy whatever nature brings. We’re going to experience a hurricane regardless. Accordingly, as long as we have battened down the hatches, if we can have a choice to enjoy the storm or fear it, I think most folks would choose enjoyment.

Everyone will have many diverse experiences in their lives, and the way they are envisaged will be recorded in their memory banks as a good or bad experience. With the correct mindset, the optimum positivity can always be established from the most detrimental, negative events.

In my eighth floor condo, which has an east and west vista, I look out towards the ocean. It is only 100 feet away from the edge of our development, (maybe not even that far). I watch huge waves bouncing into the air and crashing down with an almighty roar. The ocean waves are putting on a show of strength that I have never seen before. I am in awe of the magnificent beauty of its rollicking and heaving movements. Tossing and turning super wave energies, magnetically electrified with super potency and strength. It seems there is some greater power that is holding back the tide and stopping it from engulfing the whole development. I can understand why the ancient Greeks believed in so many gods with unique powers. I am thankful to the mythical water god for putting on such a splendid show. However, I must say, I am extraordinarily grateful to the wind enchantress that is holding back the waves.

As I look to the West, I can see a deserted road. On the A1A, I observe an empty, boarded-up shopping mall. Wind and rain lashes over a car park, as palm trees cavort an excruciating dance for survival. I see many empty houses and condos all boarded up. It has a very eerie sense to it, with the atmosphere of a ghost town. Even the birds have flown to safety, having the sense to take shelter in some nook or cranny.

I live in a holiday town that is accustomed to lots of traffic and people laughing as they cross the road with beach chairs in their hands. They go to lay in the sunshine and enjoy bathing in the calm Atlantic ocean. But not today, for this day belongs to Hurricane Frances. I suppose this could conceivably be my last day on earth, if that normally smooth ocean decides it wants to take over my space with a tidal storm surge wave. I should be feeling anxiety, panic, and trepidation. Instead, I cannot get beyond my joyful feelings of being privileged in having a grandstand seat to the most spectacular show of nature’s power I am ever going to witness first hand. As bedtime beckons, I know my dreams will be sailing in space, on the wings of the enchantress.

Sunday morning arrives and because of the size of Frances, we can still expect a full day of storms once the slow moving eye heads more inland towards the Florida Panhandle. I find my telephone line has gone down. But I am thankful I still have electricity, for over two million homes are without it.

Thankfully, the life-threatening tidal storm surge has been put off for another day, another time. I am thankful to the universal powers that control the tides. One other thing about Frances; she was a very quite storm, for there was not one clap of thunder nor one streak of lightning as far as I am aware. She went about her nature’s business in a very dignified, leisurely manner.

Perhaps I have been hypnotized by the lady enchantress’ magnetic awesome power? And perhaps I do have a few slates loose in my exploratory mind? But, I would not have missed this experience for all the money in the world. I think most folks in Florida now realize it is nature that controls mother earth, not humans. I take my hat off and gently bow my head in respect to the powerful lady Frances, who sure knows how to kick up one phenomenal storm.

I do not recommend anyone follow my example and stay near the beach during a hurricane. I did take a gamble and it was not an intelligent thing to do … This was one off experience. I guess that is why some folks climb mountains. You can be assured, I have great respect for the power of nature and will seek a safer haven from any future hurricanes. But, that said, I did enjoy every moment of being embraced by one of mother nature’s most powerful productions.

Maybe next hurricane season I will take a vacation to Europe and see what a storm I can kick up there.