1. I have always loved the beach.
2. I find nothing more beautiful than the movement of the tides,
3. the music of the surf,
4. the play of light on the surface,
5. the magic of the push and pull of each wave.
6. On Topsail Island, North Carolina, last week, I found perfect peace swimming out to each new wave
7. And, when I came back to the beach, timing each step with the movement of the water.
8. I showed my daughter how to jump into the waves rather than be overwhelmed by them. Sometimes we got it right; sometimes we drank water.
9. Missing the beat can feel very much like being the only bit of laundry in a very large washing machine. Better to pay attention.
10. We did that until we were completely caught up in the flow of the water--until there was nothing but water
11. And no thought but to be a part of it.
12. That is the beauty and mystery of the sea.
13. Home again, I have been reading the Tao. The sixteenth verse captures the experience of the sea, I think. Here is part of it:
Become totally empty.
Let your heart be at peace.
Amidst the rush of worldly comings and goings,
observe how endings become beginnings.
Let your heart be at peace.
Amidst the rush of worldly comings and goings,
observe how endings become beginnings.
57 Comments
I used to love swimming in the sea in my youth. Now, I watch it from a deckchair.
ReplyDeleteThis what I need now.. too hot in here!!! Perfect entry for TT!!! Hope I can ask a favor... Please vote for me.... I was nominated for pinoyworld blog of the week, voting poll located at my sidebar... Thanks a lot! Happy TT!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sing song style list!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos!!
ReplyDeleteI could've written 1-4. I can tell that you and I share the exact sentiments and love for the ocean.
This is so evocative! I'm ready to ditch my shoes, roll up my pants and run into the surf! (Thanks for visiting my TT)
ReplyDeleteI am so loving your recent photos and post. I would love to be there too.
ReplyDeletecould feel the waves...and the peace. thanks.
ReplyDeleteFirst off....love your W W photo. It couldn't be more perfect.
ReplyDeleteYes! Yes...I too love the beach, the surf and the sounds, colors, movements.
Mine's posted. Hope to see you visit if you can. Have a super T-13 kinda day.
I always feel so nurtured when I'm in the ocean. No matter how cold it is, I see feel... loved, I guess.
ReplyDeleteGreat tao quote! :)
Now here I am missing the beach again ... :( Excellent write up and love those pics :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with your twelfth point. the sea is mysterious and beautiful! very nice shots!
ReplyDeleteI think "let your heart be at peace" is the key. I'm glad you and your daughter had such a fun time-making memories.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful picture. I love the beach as well. Thanks for visiting my TT!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful TT! I love the ocean too. I love to go boating out on the great sea. It's such an amazing yet dangerous place.
ReplyDeleteThe beach is so relaxing. I love going to sleep to the sound of gentle waves but I don't like swimming in the ocean water. Too many things you can't see swimming with you. LOL!
ReplyDeleteHappy TT!
When troubles seem to large and overwhelming, go and face the sea. Standing beside the immensity and power of the ocean, you will recognize just how small and insignificant you -- and by association, your problems -- are.
ReplyDelete-Mojo
I love just being by water. Great pictures. Happy TT
ReplyDeleteI totally concur....there is no better place to spend the day. Id love to live at the Beach. Maybe when I retire:) Happy TT. Great list and I love the pics.
ReplyDeleteIncredible photo!
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I miss living here in New Mexico is the ocean.
SJR
The Pink Flamingo
http://thepinkflamingo.blogharbor.com/blog/_archives/2008/8/13/3836961.html#comments
I think Joe read me that very passage last night before we fell asleep. I've been posting on the beach all week. One entire entry said this: The beach is my new religion. Baptized in the ocean’s holy water, I worship at sunset under a big sky. At the shoreline I'm humbled, in the name of the sand, sun, and sea.
ReplyDeleteI also love the beach, to leave the windows open while I sleep hering the waves is wonderful. Kim
ReplyDeleteI hear and feel such nostalgia as I read through favorite posts today. For many, summer vacations are over now, as it is for my visiting family, and yet summer lingers with moments not to be wasted.
ReplyDeleteLovely posting.
Absolutely beautiful Sandy. I love to swim too, one of my favorite things and nothing is more energizing than a day at the beach (at least in my humble opinion :<) ) Thanks for your lovely posts, always.
ReplyDeletewww.mypoeticpath.wordpress.com
What a stunning TT!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love the beach too!
ReplyDeleteTo bad there isnt one close to Dallas!
Oh my this is a beautiful post. I know it said only thirteen, but I didn't want your words, any of it to end!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Sandy. The sea is always charming and mysterious, and makes us meditate on the Creation.
ReplyDeleteThe picture is really splendid.
I like going to the beach, but I hardly go in the water becaue I can't swim I'm afraid of being pulled out and under.
ReplyDeleteThis is very nice blog. - photos excellently - I want to you all the best
ReplyDeletethe sea gives us strength, makes us calm, and fills our hearts with joy.
ReplyDeleteYou're making me yearn for another trip to the coast and another cruise. The ocean is calling me :)
ReplyDeleteHappy TT. I participated for the first time today.
I fully agree with you ! I came back from England yesterday and already miss the sea !!
ReplyDeletei like the music of the surf! it's perfect!
ReplyDeleteThe best dreams I have are ones where I'm being swept along in a huge deep blue ocean - this is a beautiful Thursday Thirteen, especially with the verse added at the end. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful, Sandy!
ReplyDeleteThat's lovely... and evocative... I'm actually not a "sunbather" of any sort, but I love going to our freshwater sea here in Toronto on the islands, standing on the South shore... and pretty much drinking in the sounds and smells...
ReplyDeleteAs always what a great TT!
ReplyDeleteVery inspiring. I am going to keep your words in mind while we are at the beach in Sept.
Happy TT!
A Beautiful entry! I am one of the original beach bums (west coast however) and your post made me miss the ocean even more, since I am trapped in the desert.
ReplyDeleteHappy TT!
It looks so familiar!
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely, Sandy! Thanks!
Great post. My boys love the beach. Thanks for stopping by and Happy TT.
ReplyDeleteI love the ocean and love the water... Wonderful list for TT ;)
ReplyDeletehttp://dogeareddigest.blogspot.com/
I have never seen the sea or ocean, just a few Great Lakes, and swimming in them is quite cold.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post you have written though.
Hope you'll drop by for my TTs
The Cafe at the END of the Universe
and
Mama Bear Reads
Each of your posts, Sandy, are a delight! They are so uplifting. And in this case, about the sea and jumping the waves you bring me back to teaching my nephews how to jump the waves or dive into them. It is truly a skill (timing is so important) and a metaphor for living life. They remember I taught them and I "kvell." That's Yiddish word that means "expand with emotion." :)
ReplyDeleteThe sea,
ReplyDeletethat's what I miss most since I moved away from the East Coast!
As always Sandy, you can capture our imagination and transport us, the lucky readers into another place and time.
ReplyDeleteBravo Zulu!
I love the beach too. We have a lot here, but they get sooooooo busy.
ReplyDeleteHappy TT
B @ The Love Blog
I love the ocean. I could really use its calming influence about now.
ReplyDeleteHappy TT.
Wonderful post - I could almost feel the waves myself. It's been way too long since I've actually stood in them.
ReplyDeleteLiked your WW photo too.
i love the sea too. i miss miss miss the ocean.
ReplyDeleteI share your love of the ocean … enjoyed your list … poem … and lovely photo. I’m on the opposite coast, but am glad to be able to hear the surf as I fall asleep at night and walk to the sea daily though I no longer swim in the ocean much any longer.
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings,
I smell the salty water and want to run into the sand. Unusual for me, what did you do?!
ReplyDeleteVery neat Thursday Thirteen - I find that water, and especially the sea, is a calming influence for me. I love where I live in Texas, but if I could be by the coast I'd be ecstatic! Happy Thursday!
ReplyDeleteI write often about how my childhood revolved around the sea...if anything fills me with joy tonight, it's to read your wonderful list and soak up the photo....the ocean so perfectly captured. I know that verse well too...I love how ending become beginnings; it's so true.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandy! Mine is up at
http://bellamocha.wordpress.com/2008/08/15/thursday-thirteen-14/
bella :)
That was so lovely, Sandy. I love the beach, too, but don't get to go there often.
ReplyDeleteah, the ocean...thankyou
ReplyDeleteAnnie
great reading & feelings captured overall
ReplyDeleteespecially loved #8 =)
Oh Sandy! Reading your beach posts really make me miss home. I grew up in Fayetteville, NC and we always loved going to the beach. Topsail was one of those beaches we visited. Your photos are so lovely and they make me long for home. Thanks for sharing your trip.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being here.