Formed knowing it will meet a crushing wave,
she dedicates herself to what brings her joy.
Though words may scatter like spray in the wind,
through uncertainty and half-formed understanding,
I persist until that moment of clarity—
"Ah, I see!"— throws open my heart's door.
I press forward with words and images,
offering my spirit in this moment
to the welcoming ocean.
Hidden in the depths,
we seek to know
the light that shines within
to the life that unfolds out.
To make whole, to make one,
we dive in, then return
with a jewel found here,
a gem unearthed there.
Scattered on the ocean floor,
waiting to be gathered,
wanting to be brought home—
all one through love.
No longer within or without.
Simply eager to be lived.
“You can’t do anything about the length of your life, but you can do something about its width and depth”
– Henry Louis Mencken
”Like the sea itself, the unconscious yields an endless and self-replenishing abundance of creatures, a wealth beyond our fathoming.”
– C.G. Jung
“The greatest explorer on this earth never takes voyages as long as those of the man who descends to the depth of his heart.”
– Julien Green
We walk the beach while waves crash and deposit Jellyfish on the shore. We stop, look, take photos, and admire the intricate beauty of this stinging swimmer. A fellow walker scoops with a net and flings the water filled beauties back to the ocean. I ponder in admiration for her thoughtfulness, creativity, and dedication, as she walks miles to extend herself to her ocean community: Jellyfish and barefoot children. I marvel at this world that offers itself to us, to see and to respond in the many ways there are of being of service.
“The end of all knowledge should be service to others.”
Cesar Chavez
“Great acts are made of small deeds.”
Lao Tzu
“Memories of our lives, of our works and our deeds will continue in others.”
Rosa Parks
Sun kisses ocean
as sparkling jewels adorn her
with adoration
“Lovers alone wear sunlight.”
E.E. Cummings
“Adoration is made out of a solitary soul occupying two bodies.”
Aristotle
…the sea…it is my favorite thing, I think, that I have ever seen. Sometimes I catch myself staring at it and forget my duties. It seems big enough to contain everything anyone could ever feel.”
Anthony Doerr, All The Light We Cannot See
Seeking rest
and renewal
we weave our way:
down and around,
like the stream
then the river
flowing
to the source—
the ocean.
We meander,
then feel the tug:
the ebb and flow
vibrating
pulsing,
soul connecting
us to her—
origination.
Returning is the motion of the Tao.
Yielding is the way of the Tao.
The 10,000 things are born of being.
Being is born of nonbeing.
The 40th Verse of the Tao Te Ching
“We know all too well that what we are doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean. But if the drop were not there, the ocean would be missing something.”
Mother Teresa
“I have seafoam in my veins, I understand the language of waves”.
Le Testament d’Orphée
sounds of ocean roar on crystal beach — hearts in repose
“She loves the serene brutality of the ocean, loves the electric power she felt with each breath of wet, briny air.”
Holly Black, Tithe
“It is my favorite thing, I think, that I have ever seen. Sometimes I catch myself staring at it and forget my duties. It seems big enough to contain everything anyone could ever feel.”
Anthony Doerr, All The Light We Cannot See
If
Nayyirah Waheed
the ocean
can calm itself,
so can you.
we
are both
salt water
mixed with
air.”
Ongoing Resource List: Reading For Heart and Mind
