The sea does
not reward those who are too anxious,
too greedy,
or too impatient. One should lie empty, open,
choiceless
as a beach - waiting for a gift from the sea.
Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Anne Morrow Lindbergh
There
is something about being near the sea that changes me. The juxtaposition of
fury and serenity settles beneath my skin to my cells and soul, helping me to
renew my acceptance of the ebb and flow of life. I am always changed and better
for the experience.
A few
years ago I had the great pleasure of spending three weeks by the sea, up the
coasts of New Hampshire and Maine, and around the Canadian Provinces of New
Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It was an awesome, incredible, breathtaking and
jaw-dropping journey. But, in spite of the excitement and joy that comes with
great adventures, I also carried with me a deep sadness and great concern as
some people I love were experiencing great loss and difficult challenges in
their lives at the time of my departure.
One
evening, on the shore of Peggy’s Cove, on the Southern coast of Nova Scotia,
the waves wild in the wake of hurricane Lee, I saw that even after being tossed
and tumbled by the fierceness and rage of an angry sea, the beach and shells
and rocks and bits of washed up glass had come to rest at last; glistening in
the sun, rough edges smoothed, beautiful in a new and triumphant way. In that
moment I knew that my loved ones, though tossed and tumbled by the harsh,
tumultuous occurrences in their lives, would one day also be glistening in the
sun, softened and peaceful again. I was filled with joy and gratitude.
Beyond
the heart and head filling memories and images gathered along the way of my
travels, I returned from that incredible trip with something else: a gift from
the sea – the gift of hope and peace, and a renewal of faith that life, like
the sea, will be full of highs and lows, of rage and stillness but if we lay
ourselves open to its cycles, trusting that calm will come after the storm, we
will arrive on shores worth reaching.
In the
vastness of our surroundings there is always something that can show us the way
to a deeper knowing. Whether a
small shell or a great ocean, there are truths and wisdom to be learned from
nature. Take the time to see and
listen – you’ll be grateful for the gifts.
Happy
Trails,
D
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