 |
|
By: Jerry Lopper
One of my very favorite places is the beach. Sure, the three
S’s are an attraction: sun, sand, and seafood. But the main
draw is the ocean. The ocean symbolizes all of life,
carrying many analogies that help me stay in tune with the
meaning of life.
Reason One: The ocean calms. It infuses with the peace and
tranquility of understanding and insight. Subconsciously we
say, "Oh, this is what life is all about. It isn’t so
mysterious after all." Someone recently said to me, "It’s
natural to be at the ocean." What that means to me is that
the ocean is one of the places my soul wants me to be--
because there I can more easily see my truths about life.
Reason Two: The ocean is vast, mysterious, and multifaceted.
It can be peaceful one moment and terrifying the next. The
ocean is deep, unexplored at its deepest reaches. Filled
with an incomprehensible array of life, it is simultaneously
complex and simple. Our lives are also vast, mysterious, and
multifaceted--we’re peaceful one moment, terrified the next.
Seeing a reflection of life outside of me helps me to accept
the many unknowns about life.
Reason Three: The ocean reminds me that life is eternal. The
ocean is relentless, ever changing yet always the same. Each
moment of the ocean is different from the moment before.
Colors change with the shifting light. Waves change with the
shifting wind. Water temperatures fluctuate, sometimes
abruptly. Yet with the constant change there is also a
familiar continuity. This reminds me that life goes on.
Though a wave may crash upon the beach and appear destroyed,
the inherent life force of the wave silently retreats to
eventually form a new wave.
Reason Four: I remember that to co-exist successfully in
life I must join an oncoming force at just the right time.
Waves can batter or propel, as can life’s new circumstances.
Standing firm in the face of a wave requires me to be rigid,
muscles tensed, and body braced against the battering
onslaught. I can stand firm against each wave, but the
energy required eventually takes its toll. Or I can catch a
wave at its peak, join with it, and ride it out. The ride
can be exhilarating and joyous. Such is life. Accept and
join with the force of a new life circumstance--the ride can
be exhilarating and joyous.
Reason Five: Being with the ocean is satisfying in itself.
At home, I’m doing things most of the time. Yet at the ocean
I can just sit and be with it for hours on end. I don’t have
to accomplish anything to feel the day is successful--
success is simply being there. Absorbing the sights, sounds,
smells, and feel of the ocean environment satisfies my inner
desires for accomplishment. Each day of life can bring the
same inner satisfaction--just by absorbing my surroundings.
Reason Six: The ocean supports a near endless variety of
life forms. No one form seems favored, none is chosen. There
is no single way to succeed within the ocean’s depths. Life
forms take different approaches to feeding and reproducing.
And the ocean accepts them all. We tend to search for the
one right way to succeed in our lives. Self proclaimed
experts tell us their way is favored, their way is right.
But observing the ocean reminds me that any way that works
for us is right--we’re all right.
Reason Seven: I feel connected in and around the ocean--not
only to other people, but also to all of nature. We remove
our protective barriers, exposing more of who we are. We
shed our clothing and spread our bodies to the elements and
each other. Contrast the body posture of people at a beach
with those on a subway or city bus. On the bus, people turn
inward with shoulders hunched, eyes down or set upon some
distant place to avoid contact with others. Arms are folded
and legs are crossed. On a beach people turn outward, arms
spread wide, legs wide apart, and eyes easily making contact
with other people.
Perhaps I’m closer to God at the ocean--or I’m paying more
attention there, being more open to her communications.
----------
About the Author
Copywrite 2003, all rights reserved. Jerry Lopper is an
author, personal coach, and consultant. His workshops,
ebooks, articles, and coaching are available through
http://www.yourcoachtosuccess.com where you can sign up for
complimentary articles and coaching.
|
 |
|
Nova Scotia: Cheap Living And Retirement In Canadas Hidden Paradise
A beautiful and inexpensive place in North America where oceanfront and lakeside lots can be had for as little as $10,000 (or a charming 3-bedroom home on several acres can be yours for under $50,000). Sound like a dream? It's not. This slice of Heaven does exist. Nestled in the North Atlantic on Ca
Panama Canal: Challenge Of Connecting Two Oceans Of Different Levels
Many would be surprised to know that the Panama Canal runs north to south to link the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, not east to west.By shortening the route and reducing the cost of transportation between the two oceans, the Panama Canal allows for lower-cost imported goods and commodities in many pa
The Subject Is Vivid Imagery
I was asked recently by a poet how to bring more vivid imagery into his writing. So you want to use vivid imagery in your writing? Well first in order to write using vivid imagery you are going to visualize your subject matter. Close your eyes and put yourself right there in the scene.Say you are wr
Ocean Of People
Oceans... There’s water in 'em! :-)It may seem a bit absurd but the ocean caneasily be compared to a world full of people.They're constantly moving yet it seems likethey aren’t moving very far at all!If you move to different parts of the oceanyou’ll find that some parts are warm andfriendly. These
Diving In The Exotic Environment Of Fernando De Noronha
Fernando de Noronha is a Brazilian island located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean which divers from all points of the world wish to meet. It offers not only great diving opportunities but also a very impressing and exotic natural environment. If you wish to visit this area when its natural aspec
The East Coasts Number One Family Resort
Ocean City Maryland is one of the favorite vacation seashore destinations in the Mid-Atlantic Coast. Ocean City has 10 miles of clean sandy beaches on the Atlantic Ocean which includes a boardwalk, approximately 20 blocks long. Ocean City Maryland offers many recreational activities for everyon
Where To Find Some Of The Best Beaches In The World
We think that Cape Town has some of the best beaches in the world.You can choose beaches which are on the Indian Ocean, with warm water, or those on the colder Atlantic Ocean. Neither coast is very distant from the other, so travelling between the two is easy by road or rail. Most of the beaches, wh
Why Visit Magical Cape Town
People often ask me why we keep returning year after year to Cape Town and my answer is always the same, because we’ve not seen everything yet! “A world in one country” is the way South Africa is often described, but this statement can so easily be attributed to Cape Town alone. Cape Town is one of
Nagging Doubts
There's always that nagging doubt isn't there? The nagging doubt that they just won't get it. I went to the Post Office yesterday, the small local one round the corner, to draw a relatively large amount of money out of my account. Whilst in the queue, I saw a packet of refill cartridges going cheap
Trapped In The Mind Box
For my birthday several years ago, my sister took me on my first cruise - just a little day trip from San Diego down to Baja Mexico and back. She herself had been on a transatlantic passage on the QE II. Every time she talked about it, we both remembered the old treatment for what ails you – an ocea
Seven Reasons To Visit An Ocean
One of my very favorite places is the beach. Sure, the threeS’s are an attraction: sun, sand, and seafood. But the maindraw is the ocean. The ocean symbolizes all of life,carrying many analogies that help me stay in tune with themeaning of life.Reason One: The ocean calms. It infuses with the peace
Evening Primrose
Recently there has been a major buzz in the herbal andNatural products market about Evening Primrose. I wouldlike to give you a general overview, history, and benefitsof the product. The botanical name for the evening primrose plant isOenothera Biennis, belonging to the plant family Onagraceae.Other
Hurricane Fact Sheet
Hurricane Fact SheetA hurricane is a large whirling storm that usually measures 200 to 500 miles (320 to 800 km) across.On the average each year, six Atlantic hurricanes occur.Sustained winds of 100-150 mph (160-240 km/h) occur with a typical hurricane. Some winds may exceed 200 mph (320 km/h).The e
|
|
|
