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On a Beach Walk: No. 4

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I like walking the beach as it is good for the body, mind, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

I am not a sheller, but shells serve as a reminder of where I am – walking along the boundary between two worlds that offer many similarities and differences. Two worlds – one to my left and one to my right. Two worlds – one that I live on and one whose mysteries and beauties I only encounter through videos and still images.

I am not a sheller, but shells remind me of all the life that is in the waters. Yes – out there in the shallow and in the deep and everything in between. Life abundant that is woven together into intricate complexity of beauty and stability. Just like my world on land.

I am not a sheller, but shells remind me of the life that is just below where I walk – where the water refreshes my feet. That life below is sometimes submerged in water, but always covered with sand. A life that is adapted to the daily tides – but they are different from the life that is adapted to living in the pools along the rocks where I do not walk.

To some I’m walking in nature, to others I walk in creation – yet to me they are one in the same. Nonetheless, I like to walk the beach for it is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

45 thoughts on “On a Beach Walk: No. 4”

  2. Thank you for this beautiful post and the music clip. My husband’s nursing home is near the beach but it has been too hot lately to take advantage of it. Now that it is cooler I plan to go down and walk in the sand and mild surf and gather my thoughts.

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    • Julie,
      I know you are end the end of summer, so hot days can still be there. But when the weather breaks, I’m confident you’ll take that walk. Hang in there … and let me know about it … hey … you may even start your own series of beach walks. 🙂

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    • Archon,
      LOL … well, we do have a water park called The Beach …. and there are many sand and gravel pits in the area! … but for full disclosure, I did these walks in January when on the Alabama coast for almost a month.

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  8. Another beautiful aspect to the beach walking experience. Also good to run across the word ‘sheller.’ Unfortunately I couldn’t get the sound to work on the video.

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  9. I am not a sheller too… but I am not sure what is the good one… Do you know dear Frank, I haven’t been in the ocean/beach… and also what’s the difference I don’t know,… But you know I am living at sea side… Thank you, as always it was great touches, music, post. Love, nia

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    • Nia,
      I know you would love to walk the beach where I spent January. The weather was wonderful and relaxation was the main order each day. Shellers are the collectors of seashells … and I’m sure you would notice them! More beach walking posts to come!

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  10. Beautiful writing Frank, I enjoyed this piece very much. I am a sheller of sorts and was thrilled for the time we lived right on the beach in Maine, every day new shells opened their world to me. Loved it ~

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  11. I was a sheller as a young boy but certainly didn’t know the true significance of the objects in question at that time. They were just colorful and varied in shape and size. And that was enough then. Even though I don’t spend much time at the beach anymore whenever I am there I am on the look-out for them…now that I have the advantage of knowledge and perspective. And that is enough now. (It was nice to take this walk on the beach because walking outside here today is not recommended…a tad icy underfoot)

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    • Bruce,
      Glad to rekindle some memories and thanks for sharing your thoughts. Interestingly, a future walk will focus on your thoughts! (It’s written, but I don’t recall where it is in terms of the sequence). … How much snow did you get?

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      • Frank, the official number will probably turn out to be around 6-7 inches of snow. The thing is it really was a build-up of snow and ice. It was sleeting for hours. Just to the west of us all snow. Just to the south of us a combo of rain and snow. That mysterious snow/ice/rain line was apparently around us through most of the storm. Ready for more beach!

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  14. Hmm, I’ve never seen a shell on the beach by where I live. Of course, it’s Lake Ontario, not a sea or ocean. I believe there are shells, though. I’m going to look harder during my summer beach walks. It’s so cold here right now, that I have to wear a parka and boots. In that case, I walk on the boardwalk and enjoy the best air in the city along with lovely lake views.
    Hey, I just learned that coral is an animal not a plant. Who knew?

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    • Resa,
      The gulf beaches have many shells (which a walk will focus on soon) … Meanwhile, parka and boots is too cold. Brrrrr … warmth coming soon!

      LOL .. about coral … yep … the are just as much animal as cats and dogs.

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  17. I’ve never used the word “sheller” before, but it’s a good addition to my love of beach walking. I am definitely a sheller and have a lovely collection. I find time on the beach is always a way to connect to nature and creation as one. This is a lovely piece of writing and thoughtful meditation, Frank.

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