Lessons On The Beach by Jussta
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Last Friday
as I walked on the beach on the wet sand, dipping in and out of the
waves lapping at my feet, I noticed there were very few shells. I would
spy part of a beautiful shell, stoop down to pick it up, only to
discover it was broken. I kept it and as I walked on, saw more beautiful
shells - partially covered by the wet sand. As I repeatedly stooped
down to pick up each shell, I discovered that each of them were broken
or chipped. I washed the handful of shells in the lapping waves,
admiring their beauty even if they were not whole. Waves crashing, I
walked on as I admired the beautiful broken wet shells now glistening in
the palm of my hand. Suddenly, I realized I could admire the beauty of
these broken shells and it dawned on me that even though my body is
'broken" I AM still beautiful because God created me.
 The following day, Saturday, I returned to the beach to "my rock". A huge granite wedge that served as my backrest. As I draped my Hong Kong Beach Club towel on the sand and across the granite wedge, I laughed aloud. I realized truly how little I need anymore to be comfortable. That truly all is provided if I am open to it.
I splashed
the cold salt water on my face and up my legs, down my arms. I shivered
as I splashed it on my now sun-warmed back. Walking, not really going
anywhere, just sauntering along enjoying the glorious blue sky, the
waves curling as they pounded the shore, delighting in the seagulls
swooping down and landing near me. Flashes of all the incredible
beautiful beaches I have enjoyed all over the world. When I was a young
girl growing up in Santa Monica, California, I used to spend from 7:00
a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the beach. I loved body surfing. Australia,
Bonzai Beach, the beaches of Bali, Byron Beach, Cape Tribulation, The Whitsunday Islands,
Frasier Island, parasailing, sailing, snorkeling in the coral reefs,
riding a giant sea turtle - letting go as it dove too far for me to hang
on. I have treasured times on all of the Hawaiian Islands, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and
different islands off of Hong Kong, Mexico, Baja, and, of course, California up and down
the coast...beauty everywhere, all different and yet all the same.
A wave of
sadness whelmed up within me. "Where did the fun part of me go? Where
is the person who could make anything fun?" My sadness ebbed as I
realized that the fun was still inside of me and all I have to do is let
it out. I deserve to have fun!
I leaned my
head back on the top of the granite wedge, looking up at the sky. A
huge triangular-shaped kite with florescent streamers danced in the
unseen currents of air high above me. I watched as the kite dipped and
then lifted higher than before, riding the wind. "Jussta like my life," I
mused. "Highs and lows and sometimes pummeling down and crashing for no
apparent rhyme or reason, only to be raised up once again, against the
wind, this time lifted higher and higher than ever before, once again
finding the flow."
I returned
home, amazingly refreshed - a huge load had been lifted from my
shoulders. I had let go. It was time to celebrate by dancing with my
cat, Queenie, draped on my shoulder - her paw touching my palm - of
course, I always lead. After a quick shower, I picked up my friend,
Victoria. We were off to the movies to see, "Bringing Down The House"
with Steve Martin and Queen Latifa - the trailers made it look like it
could be really dumb. To the surprise of both of us, it was really
funny all the way through. I laughed so hard at times, my stomach hurt
- and that felt good.
Monday, I
returned once again to the beach - again to 'my rock'. I slipped off
the Hawaiian shirt of my dear friend, Chuck Domanico, which I wore as a beach cover and placed my bag
to mark my territory - to save my place at my rock. I had to feel the
cold ocean water on my skin - refreshing, energizing, clearing and
healing me. I walked on down the beach - weaving in and out of the
waves lapping at my feet bathed in the heat of the Sun, not a cloud in
the sky. I rejected worries that tried to invade my peace. "The waves
don't worry, so why do I?"
And how did
I spend my Resurrection birthday? Having fun - giving my love of plants
to my neighbor, Stella, who has had knee surgery and is in the
convalescent home for another week. Taking photographs of the glorious
red bottle-brush trees blooming in front of my living room window.
Listening to the birds chirp. Watching a hummingbird suck the nectar
from the bottle brush outside my bedroom window. Admiring how my plants
had miraculously revived after a former neighbor had kept them for almost 6 months and that were pretty
tired looking when I got them back in January. Now, under my loving
care, not only plants, but the apartment building plants (the
Bougainvillea bushes and rose bushes) are all blooming and blossoming
and glowing with love.
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Copyright Jussta 2003-2009 All Rights
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