Seeing Sea Glass.
“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.”
-W.B. Yeats
"One has not only an ability to perceive the world but an ability to alter one's perception of it; more simply, one can change things by the manner in which one looks at them."
-Tom Robbins
Episode 60.
"The one thing Narragansett Beach does NOT have, is sea glass."
I made this statement to my mom with confidence, as I had been running and walking the mile stretch of this beloved beach multiple times a day, for years. My footprints could be a permanent mark on this sand, in a racing stride or walking step; if not for the washing away of each foot-mold by the majestic salt water tide.
I had seen rocks that were keepers- perfectly round, the color of white chalk; the smoothest purple translucent stones; crystal-like opaque gems that could have been mistaken for glass... but not sea glass. I had not seen one piece in this sand on this beach.
My eyes were perpetually scanning the sand- on the hunt for my pronounced treasure- rocks to paint- round, unblemished prizes- distinct for the pick as white the color of clouds or translucent purple or grey. I sought after the most pristine palette for painting words for my yoga students- a single mantra word... LOVE, JOY, BREATHE, HOPE, GRATITUDE, CALM, WARRIOR, BRAVE, PEACE... "Take what you need" rocks, given after an hour of hot power yoga. And I gave these rocks as generously as I found them, in plenitude with an effortless cast.
The day I proclaimed Narragansett Beach as a non-sea glass beach, was a day that my family was embracing hope of what sea glass represent- renewal and healing. It was one year ago- a year that seems both a lifetime and a blink of an eye- a year marked by my mom receiving a shocking diagnosis. "We can do hard things." became one of our many mantras as we immersed ourselves in all measures of hope, inspiration, blessing, fortune, light, love, and healing. That day, just hours after speaking the words "sea glass", the tide peeled back and the sunlight caught a clear piece of glass, amidst the hundreds of circular white and purple rocks, dotting the soft sand of Narragansett Beach.
What I see is what I find. My vision had shifted focus. I was tuned into a slightly different view...
The next day I ran my same beach-lap route. I had my podcast in my ears. As I listened to Tim Ferriss interview BJ Miller on 2x speed, my eye caught a piece of green glass. Unmistakable. I was drawn to it with pointed laser- focus. I was practiced at collecting rocks without breaking pace, so I fluently crouched for the emerald prize with my left hand, immediately noting the smooth curves of the glass. Within seconds, I was bending again for an aqua- blue piece. The instinctive familiarity of the glass now appeared intuitive and abundant on the previously void sand of Narragansett Beach.
What I see is what I find. Where my mind is focused, to that my eyes travel... I was seeing sea glass...
Fast-forward many months, and my cup runneth over... the daily bounty of sea glass has not diminished. This past year has brought a significance of change, loss, mourning, unraveling, reckoning, reclaiming, realigning, and rising. All of this has hinged on a great refocusing... my mind and heart remain open to accept the gift of sea glass. The symbol of healing and renewal continues to present itself along my path. As I travel through the moments of unfolding life, as a spectator to the greatest show on earth and beyond, I am more and more aware that wherever my heart and mind are focused, is where the vivacity of life will be revealed...
As I view each sunrise and the curtain on the day is lifted, there is space to see light. And on days where clouds cover the light, I can see in my view, a penetrating light. Because that is my focus.
“We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share. This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity.” - Paulo Coelho
This past Friday, my mom and my sister along with my niece, Grace, and nephew, Nolan, joined me at my beach. The ocean was a serene backdrop for reflection of 43 years of life with my mom; 40 years with my sister; and countless shared moments of joy, pain, friendship, loss, laughter, grief, hugs, heartache, and resounding love. These moments have had a different focus for each of us, but we have never wavered in the steadfast reliance on each other with grace, fortitude, resilience, determination, and sisterhood. I am a collector of sea glass, but more, a collector of moments. Moments of gratitude. Moments of resilience. Moments of exhilaration. Moments of holding hands and walking to the river. Moments to connect. Moments to laugh. Moments to weep. Moments to come together. Moments to reach out. Moments to hold on. Moments to shine. Moments to prove that we can do hard things.
In life, where you are focused, is what you will see. Sea glass. A vision set on hope and healing. In all the moments. I will keep collecting.
Love,
Jess
“What we do see depends mainly on what we look for... In the same field the farmer will notice the crop, the geologists the fossils, botanists the flowers, artists the colouring, sportmen the cover for the game. Though we may all look at the same things, it does not all follow that we should see them.”
― John Lubbock
“The relation between what we see and what we know is never settled. Each evening we see the sun set. We know that the earth is turning away from it. Yet the knowledge, the explanation, never quite fits the sight.”
― John Berger
“What use is care? What good is watching for that matter? People are forever watching things. They should be seeing. I see the things I look at. I am a see-er.”
― Patrick Rothfuss, The Wise Man's Fear
Do it all with Love. Nothing is promised. But everything is workable.
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