The Way Life Should Be.

The windows are open and I can hear the ocean playing in the distance. An occasional woodpecker offers a staccato backdrop to the slow sway of the pine trees. It is peaceful, it is easy. I’m on the coast of Maine.

I’ve been coming to Maine for the duration of my life. The way I enjoy the coast has ebbed and flowed as I’ve grown from being a tiny tot, to a teenager, and now as an adult and mother. It has been such a joy to watch my kids and husband fall in love with this little piece of heaven on earth.

If you have the opportunity to come to Maine, and drive across the bridge into this glorious state, you will notice a bold proclamation on the welcome sign. “Maine: The way life should be.” I love this and the confidence it holds. Moreover, I love the truth that is tucked into those 5 words.

What makes this amazing state the benchmark that all other states should aspire to?

Immersive Beauty

In Maine, there is a close connection with nature. You are surrounded by walking trails, opportunities to climb the rocks, you are nestled in pine trees and you can quickly find a coastline to experience the salty air. You don’t have to sit back and admire it – you can be immersed in it. Hike, kayak, walk through the wild flowers. Go hunt for sea glass and seek out the prettiest shells. Engage with the environment.

The lobster doesn’t get any fresher and it’s not uncommon to see someone out on a clam flat, raking back the mud to find tasty treasures. As you drive along the highways you can see how the roadways are a deep rivet cut into jagged rocks, topped with pine trees. The wildflowers pop up in the medians and if you time your visit right, you’ll see Lupine decorating fields with their purple, pink and white hues. If you have the opportunity to stop and smell the wild roses – do it! I’m convinced there is no sweeter or crisp smell on earth.

The beauty of Maine will draw you in and delight you, no matter where you go.

A People-Focused Pace

Beyond the beauty of the state, there is a pace here that I can’t get enough of. It is a hardworking pace but one that also holds space for people. Catching up with neighbors, making a new friend, or finding a mutual connection is valued. It is a people-focused pace. A sense of camaraderie is shared and I love that relationships matter here.

Maine is also a place that my family has roots, tales of old, and historical connections. Generations from within my family have called Maine home, vacationed here, raised their families here, and worked – yes, even pulling up lobster traps here. My aunt and uncle have a house right across the street from my parents. We will stroll from one home to the other, playing cars, making cookies, or simply popping in to check in and say hello.

One of the reasons Maine is the way life should be is because of the rich traditions surrounding people and prioritizing relationships.

Content Communities

I also believe that Maine is the way life should be because there is a sweet simplicity here. No, it’s not “backwoods” and it isn’t “behind the times”. Rather, it is an intentional choice to be content with what one has. Success is not gauged by the speed of internet, development of high rise building, or installation of a new stop light. Even as a child, I loved that I came to a community where there were no chain restaurants, apartment buildings, or big-box grocery stores. Sure, you can find all of those things in various parts of the state. But the fact that so many quaint villages exist absent of them makes a smile stretch across my face.

Maine resonates with me deep in my bones. In nature, I find myself at home and astutely aware of God’s goodness and greatness. As I enjoy people and the stories this place holds, I feel seen and connected. And as life slows down, I feel myself truly inhale and deeply exhale, all while thinking, “this is the good stuff.” 

You can live “The way life should be”

You may not have the opportunity to travel to Maine any time soon. But you do have the opportunity to choose to live “the way life should be.” Simplified. People focused. Remembering the stories of old. Breathing in Nature. Listening to the symphony of the birds and wind. Prioritizing the things that matter most. You can choose that life can be, as it should be.