Ebb and flow

Is it just ME, or have you, too, been hypnotized watching the ebb and flow at the water’s edge.

I’m blessed to live close to the ocean and able to observe its beauty on demand.

Watching the rhythm of the waves as they roll in and out and observing that, while there truly is a pattern, each effort made by the mightiest of waves or the gentlest of ripples, is unique.

Sometimes, the water splashes, sometimes it does not.

Sometimes it gently caresses the shore, sometimes it carves itself into the sand, taking some of it back to its open space.

Sometimes, the mark left is straight and easy to follow. Sometimes  it creates zigs and zags making walking its legacy next to impossible..

But always, it makes another attempt, as if to go a bit further, to leave more evidence of having been, and always knowing that it must retreat to gain its strength again.

It is mighty, powerful, relentless, perseverant, always present in one way, or another.

At times, it refreshes.  At times it instills a type of fear; better defined as respect.

In the reflection of the sky, it is every possible shade of blue; it invites.

In the night sky it seems to vanish, yet its strength is felt even more; respect for its power swells.

At dawn, its beauty returns.  Though night has come and gone it has not truly rested.  Rather, on another shore well beyond the horizon and under that sun, it is still licking the shore, sharing beauty, demanding wonder; always there.

Perhaps these are among the reasons the might sea is referred to as ‘she’!

Yes, that must be it; for the sea does possess all that women possess: strength, beauty, perseverance, omni-presence, as it were… always at work, always trying, always  leaving an impression.

What the ebb and flow of the ocean has taught me is that effort is worth it; the results will be what they will be based on that.  It has taught me the need to retreat, to re-group, to gather my strength and try again.  It has taught me that while some see a positive side, others may see a negative side.  It has taught me it is not for me to control; my task is to carry on.

As the sea can refresh or exhaust, nourish or deny, give life or take it, it teaches me that above all it will always be there.  How we use it is up to us.

So too is our time, our talent, our attention.  How we use all of our resources, our skills, our talents, will always be up to us.  But to think we will mean the same thing to everyone and for all the same reasons is to defy reason, purpose and passion and nature, itself.

So, IS it just me, or do you, too realize that just to be there is sometimes all that another requires of us,  it is sometimes the best we can do, it is sometimes the greatest  gift we give.

Till my soul is full of longing
For the secret of the sea,
And the heart of the great ocean
Sends a thrilling pulse through me.

Last verse from “Secret of the Sea”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow