Marine Moments

The beach today

Nowhere does the feeling of constant change appear more stark than on a beach. The waves roll up and down the beach as the tide goes in and out marking the passing of the lunar month. The clouds scud across the sky as the wind blows the seconds past our eyes. People walk, dogs run, crabs scuttle, time ticks. We move steadily from one moment, one day and from one stage of our lives to another, marching from new beginnings to ends, and on to new beginnings… blue sky to grey clouds, and then grey clouds to blue skies… we are all on a journey.

But what would it be like to stop?

To arrive.

Did you know?

In narratology and comparative mythology, the hero’s journey, or the monomyth, is the common template of stories that involve a hero who goes on an adventure, is victorious in a decisive crisis, and comes home changed or transformed.

Reflective Moment

When does our story end?

Are we heroes?

Surely we have many stories in our lives. We grow, experience and learn. But do we rest between rolling from one journey or stage or day to the next? Do we luxuriate in ‘arriving at our current destination’? There’s a saying. ‘life is a journey not a destination’. But I think they have this a little wrong – surely life is lots of destinations linked by journeys.

What would ‘arriving at your destination’ look like? You could put down those heavy suitcases full of worry, anxiety and plans about tomorrow’s journey. You could feel your shoulders relax, the sun kiss your skin and a smile stretch your cheeks.

If your destination was the beach, what would you do? Fly a kite? Run like the wind and kick up the sand behind you? Paddle in the cold water and feel the waves brush your ankles – or just lie down on your towel, put your hands behind your head and watch the clouds?

Every destination should be identified, and celebrated, even if only in a mental break between one destination to another- life is a necklace of destinations threaded along a journey.

Sound of the Sea Today

You have arrived at today.

Rest.

Listen.

Enjoy.