Seven Reasons to Visit an Ocean

Written by Jerry Lopper


One of my very favorite places isrepparttar beach. Sure,repparttar 130783 three S’s are an attraction: sun, sand, and seafood. Butrepparttar 130784 main draw isrepparttar 130785 ocean. The ocean symbolizes all of life, carrying many analogies that help me stay in tune withrepparttar 130786 meaning of life.

Reason One: The ocean calms. It infuses withrepparttar 130787 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 atrepparttar 130788 ocean." What that means to me is thatrepparttar 130789 ocean is one ofrepparttar 130790 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 terrifyingrepparttar 130791 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, terrifiedrepparttar 130792 next. Seeing a reflection of life outside of me helps me to acceptrepparttar 130793 many unknowns about life.

Reason Three: The ocean reminds me that life is eternal. The ocean is relentless, ever changing yet alwaysrepparttar 130794 same. Each moment ofrepparttar 130795 ocean is different fromrepparttar 130796 moment before. Colors change withrepparttar 130797 shifting light. Waves change withrepparttar 130798 shifting wind. Water temperatures fluctuate, sometimes abruptly. Yet withrepparttar 130799 constant change there is also a familiar continuity. This reminds me that life goes on. Though a wave may crash uponrepparttar 130800 beach and appear destroyed,repparttar 130801 inherent life force ofrepparttar 130802 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 justrepparttar 130803 right time. Waves can batter or propel, as can life’s new circumstances. Standing firm inrepparttar 130804 face of a wave requires me to be rigid, muscles tensed, and body braced againstrepparttar 130805 battering onslaught. I can stand firm against each wave, butrepparttar 130806 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 withrepparttar 130807 force of a new life circumstance--the ride can be exhilarating and joyous.

Letting Go

Written by Carol Dorman


Do you feel less than you'd like to? Less happy, less confident, less "everything" than others? Sometimes your head seems just aboverepparttar water even thoughrepparttar 130781 rope you're holding is tight in your hands. Perhaps you're holding on when you should be letting go. Letting go can be one ofrepparttar 130782 most difficult things we ever have to do. It can also be one ofrepparttar 130783 most liberating. Opening your hand to letrepparttar 130784 butterfly fly away - that jewel-like creature we wish we could hold forever - means its cycle of life can continue, uninterrupted. The reward? Jewels returned to us tenfold year after year as we walk through a garden.

Some of my darkest times involve holding on to things. Past mistakes which I refused to let fade fromrepparttar 130785 "Open" file in my memory. The job I chose to leave behind in which I could have achieved so much more. The child who stayed in my body for just a few months before dying. People who have hurt me and people I've hurt. So many things. I have discovered, however, that letting go of just one thing at a time can bring peace and healing.

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