May 30, 2012

Gift from the sea...

"Change".  Hmmmm, what do I think about "change"????  Well, let me preface this post by saying that it was NOT what I had planned for today.  It all got scrapped, and my morning is now shot as I got thrown a curve ball by this little change in plans.  Yes "change", you can either embrace it, or..........well, I usually just TRY to embrace it.




"Gift From the Sea"
Wildwood, NJ



I am blessed in that the good greatly outweighs the not-so-good in my life.  But like the sea, it is a continual ebb and flow.  At one point not too long ago, the "not-so-good" started to wash over my life in what I can best describe as a constant high tide.  I tread water for as long as I could, but could feel the overwhelming exhaustion and hopelessness take over.  I began to get sucked under.  One of my blessings is that I have a very dear friend who saw that I needed rescue, and she  threw me a life jacket so that I could catch my breath while I contemplated how I needed to change my course. It came in the form of Anne Morrow Lindbergh's "Gift from the Sea".  






I have to admit, it didn't look like much.  It was thin, it was simple to read, no long chapters just short snippets.  Seriously?  I'm going thru some major life STUFF here, and she wants me to read something that looks like I'd toss in my shopping basket as an impulse purchase at the side display of a Hallmark store?!?!  But read it I did, because if you change nothing...then nothing will change.  And I started to model my life after a... "seashell".  Albeit, a seashell who likes to maintain a decent fashion sense.  And no wine was involved in the thought process, just sayin'.




A book written in 1955 while vacationing on Captiva Island in Florida.  A book of short essays based on the the seashells Ms. Lindbergh found while strolling the shoreline.  A book reflecting on life as an American woman.  Amazing how some things haven't changed one iota since 1955.  A book on love, marriage, solitude, peace and contentment.  Yep...that sure fit the bill because there was NOTHING peaceful about spitting out the ocean water as I was rapidly losing my battle to stay afloat.

What changes could a simple seashell bring to my life?  Oh lots, and lots, and lots according to Ann Lindbergh.  But honed down to the basic premise...a woman needs solitude in order to find again the true essence of herself.  Simplicity, solitude and caring of the soul.  The exact things we tend to give up first in our lives as wives, mothers...women.

Don't get me wrong, I am often NOT mistaken for a woman of simplicity.  It is an evolution.  Certain areas of my life have definetly changed to be more simple and caring.  Others?  Have you SEEN my closet?  That's why it is a work in progress.  If you change nothing, then nothing will change.  Be the seashell.  But a seashell with a walk-in closet.


--Kathy

24 comments:

  1. your entry is a wonderful read!! i have added the book to my list of things to do!!

    1. but it!! 2. read it!!

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  2. A wonderful post! I read the book many years ago, but will download it on my Kindle right away to read again. You have inspired me!

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  3. What a lovely post, Kathy. I am so sorry you are going thru trying times but happy to hear you have someone that reaches out to you. I have never read the book, but you have inspired me to seek it out. Hugs and prayers your way.

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  4. I'm sorry that you were going through rough times recently. This book sounds interesting. Your photos have such a clarity about them.

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  5. What an amazingly powerful post Kathy. I will certainly read that book. Your images are lovely.

    Hugs,
    Linda

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  6. Love, love, LOVE your post and the sea shell photos are captivating... This really speaks to my heart and now I am longing for that simplicity and solitude and time alone on the seashore.

    Beautiful. Thank you.

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  7. Anne Morrow Lindberg's little book inspired me as life changed sent me in a very new and different direction. I hope it brought inspiration to you, too, and that you'll find a way to replenish the well that runs dry with so many commitments and expectations of women today. Your photography just keeps getting better and better.

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  8. Hmmm, I would love to get that book....although I have been in the process of simplifiying for a while now and it probably started when my husband was out of work for a year...tends to simplify things real quick!! And I think she is sooo right with the whole solitude thing - when I finally started getting quiet with myself, well let's just say I almost needed a tape recorder! ha And of course you know I love the shell....found a few gifts from the sea today too!

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    1. Kim, given your affinity for the beach/shore...I think you would REALLY relate to this book. On first thought, one has to wonder WHAT the wife of Charles LIndbergh could possibly say in 1955 that we could relate too. I guess some truths are universal and timeless :). A VERY simple, yet thought provoking, read. I hope you pick it up!

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  9. I've been caught in the undertow of life and of the sea - thankfully not at the same time. I relate to your analogy quite well. I try to remind myself that when I'm treading water and struggling to keep my head above the water, that I also must remember to try to stand. Sometimes the ocean floor is just a few inches below my kicking feet.

    I love your image too.

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  10. I think we've all had a time or two when keeping our heads above water was a challenge. I'm glad you found some answers in this little, unassuming book. I guess we never know where our salvation lies until we look for it.

    Excellent post, Kathy -- love the photos as well.

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  11. I truly love your thought process. I may just have to see if I can find that book! Loved your photo too!

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  12. Ahh, yes,those little curve balls life likes to throw us . . . An excellent post. And I absolutely LOVE your seashells.

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  13. Ahh, yes,those little curve balls life likes to throw us . . . An excellent post. And I absolutely LOVE your seashells.

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  14. Super gorgeous shots! I want that book now. :) xo

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  15. What texture in that shell! And I think I have to check out that little book. Seems like an appropriate one to read on the beach, too. Maybe in the early evening as the light is changing and the beach empties. Thanks for sharing about it.

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  16. Lmao! A sea shell with a closet!!?? You are the best! Seriously... I certainly appreciate your humor and words of wisdom AND your photos are a dream!

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  17. Hey friend...Hope the heaviness is passing in change. I was given this book by my aunt when I graduated HS. Did I read it? No. Perhpas I am now ready for it's wisdom. I could use some change myself and have been working the solitude thing-I'm ready.
    Love these seashell images. Happy day to you.

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  18. Isn't it funny how sometimes the things we need most just fall in our laps. So glad you read the book and took away something from it. Change is good!
    Solitude, eh?
    I don't get much of that these days. But it sounds lovely....

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  19. I've told you how awesome you are, right..? I love how you look at the world, and your ability to put it into words <3

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  20. You know I am going to have to get that book now. I just love walking on the beach collecting Sea shells. Even though I don't live near the Ocean we try to vacation there at least a couple times a year. My problems always so so small compared the great BIG SEA!! I always feel at peace there... Your Seashell photos are wonderful..

    Hugs~

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  21. Oh Kathy, this was a beautiful post, from a beautiful person. You know how much I love your writing, not to mention your humor, but the photo's are truly inspiring. I think I need to reread that 'little' book right now. It truly packs a powerful punch in those few pages.
    Thank you for cluing me in to the post. I try to keep up, but this past week has been horrific. I think I need a little solitude with Anne.
    Hugs,
    Susan

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  22. what a wonderful post...very inspirational. thanks so much for sharing and such detail in the simplicity of this seashell. must check out this book. what a wonderful ripple effect has been set in motion by amazing women...

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