Life Lessons from the Sea #8: Conserve and Protect

More often than I’d like to admit, while walking along what should be a pristine beach, I’ve tangled my feet in fishing line. Pesky little problem and ugly, too. Unfortunately, other signs of human carelessness often litter the drifting sands. A flattened milk jug. A single flip flop. A soda can so worn that its label is all but gone.

Even a little trash along shorelines causes trouble for marine creatures. Ropes, nets, and fishing lines snare whales and dolphins so they cannot surface and breathe. Instead they drown. These manmade traps also entangle sharks, endangering their survival. Refuse destroys habitats and the sea creatures that live in them.

A little help from us goes a long way in protecting nature (ultimately, our own habitat), both above and below water. When we visit a park or a beach, of course we plan to clean up after ourselves. But what if we did a bit more? Pick up trash left by someone else. Coil stray fish lines into a messy ball to tote out when we leave. 

As the saying goes, many hands make light work. Sometimes I see this in my kitchen after dinner (if I’m lucky!). I’ve seen it after the Joplin Tornado when hundreds of youth picked up miniscule scraps of paper plastered all over a local park. An impossible task for one, but something easy and fun for a group. Something they can take pride in, even years later.

What are some ways you protect the environment? How have you seen small efforts by many pay off?

Life Lessons from the Sea #7: Seek Shelter from Storms

A perpetual breeze dances across the ocean, flitting up and down coastlines, bringing with it the smell of salt and a taste of freedom. To me, this breeze is one of the joys of spending time seaside. However, these gentle winds can build, all too quickly, to violent storms that capsize ships, batter shores, damage property, and destroy lives. 

People who live near the coast or make their living on the sea pay close attention to the weather. They watch forecasts and heed warning signs. They board up their windows, move their valued belongings to higher ground, or leave altogether until the danger has passed. Sailors batten down hatches and furl their sails to ride out inevitable storms. Where possible, they hunker down in port to avoid the beating that nature can dole out.

There are some, however, who refuse to shelter in safe places. Often, they bear the brunt of nature’s fury. The resulting devastation can be difficult or impossible to overcome and affects other people as well.

 As Ziggy once said,  “a little rain falls into every life, followed by sleet, hail and damaging winds.” This humorous statement holds water. We all face difficulties at one time or another, usually due to no fault of our own. And we all must learn to cope. However, sometimes our choices land us directly in the path of gale-force winds. 

We should take a lesson from mariners and coast-dwellers. Prepare against the storms of life. Don’t seek them out. The easiest way to do this? Choose what is right. Over and over again. Of course, we’re none of us perfect, but if we form the habit of trying to do right, we’re much less likely to find ourselves suffering amid a storm of violence, addictions, accusations…the list goes on.

What is it about human nature that causes us to sometimes seek out trouble from which we ought to flee? How have you avoided problems that could’ve wrecked your life or harmed the ones you love?

Life Lessons from the Sea #6: Teamwork Pays, so says the Shark

There is evidence of teamwork throughout the sea. 

Sailors work together to cross vast waters, some piloting, others raising sails or sometimes rowing, others cooking or cleaning. There is always work to be done and many hands to do it, so all benefit.

 Schooling fish swirl through the ocean, sometimes in small groups, other times in massive tornado-like funnels. Their large numbers and coordinated movements help them evade predators.

Sometimes teamwork can be difficult or even dangerous, as with the banded coral shrimp that clean sharks’ gills and teeth. Sharks remain quite still for such services, nevertheless there must be some inherent risk to swimming in and out of a shark's mouth. If all goes well, the shrimp leaves with a full belly and the shark with gleaming, comfortable teeth.

Teamwork among humans can also be difficult, but ultimately more productive and rewarding than working on our own. I’ve found this in my efforts with writing. The time I spend with other writers at workshops and conferences is extremely valuable. Not only do I learn, but I receive encouragement and experience camaraderie. Other writers' insights into my work are priceless. Writing can be a very solitary, isolating endeavor. But the support I receive from my family and friends keeps me motivated. I can’t tell you how often, when I’m in the middle of a creative slump, someone asks about my writing. It’s a simple question (not always simple to answer), but it’s one that reminds me—people are rooting for me, hoping I will succeed. 

How has teamwork helped in your life? What projects have you completed or goals have you attained with the assistance of a great group of friends, family or co-workers?

Life Lessons from the Sea #5: Smooth sailing and course corrections

Ocean currents circle the globe, carrying warm water in some places, cool in others. They are consistent enough that ocean liners hitch rides on them to reach their destination ahead of schedule. Sometimes life is like this, smooth sailing, when our course is true and currents seem to speed us along. 

But this is not always so. At times, we may be whirled off course by hobbies or distractions, even responsibilities. Sometimes our competing interests act as riptides, where counter currents meet, creating violent turbulence, making progress impossible. 

The ocean is malleable, shifting and changing at all times. Its deep rivers often run in the opposite direction of the shallow flows directly overhead. But despite changing tides and conflicting currents, the Gulf Stream, the North Pacific Drift, the West Australian Current and more, continue their journey. As must we, amid course corrections and interesting side trips. 

What are some of your favorite hobbies or side trips in life? How do you balance these with your goals and responsibilities?

Life Lessons from the Sea #4: Let your Light Shine

One of the great beauties of nature is the play of light on the sea. Last weekend, my family went to the lake. We splashed and swam, laughed and played, but in the end, as the sun went down, we enjoyed the simple glory of light streaming across the water. A sense of peace and fullness stole over me. What could be better than watching the sun set over water with my family? 

Back at home, on windy days, I often spy the sun glittering on the lake behind our house. I’m usually busy, cooking, cleaning, writing, chasing children, but at some point, I pass by the window and see the shimmering reflection. My breath catches in my throat. I dash through the house and call for everyone to come and see. It’s just so beautiful.

Light is exquisite on its own. It brings us warmth and the ability to see. It casts intriguing shadows and amazing colors. When reflected by the sea, its brilliance multiplies.

This is true with human nature as well. As we journey through life, we encounter light in many forms—knowledge, affection, enthusiasm, hope. When we reflect that light, we share it with others. We become like the sea, a thing of beauty.

Who has reflected light in your life and how would you like to thank them?

Life Lessons from the Sea #3: Surviving the Gales of Life

The ocean is constantly moving, shifting back and forth against the shores of the world. Currents twine themselves through that sea of movement, maintaining their integrity in the face of a greater, sometimes chaotic force. 

So it is with us. We chart a course for ourselves across the turbulent sea of life. Like sailors, steering by the north star, we navigate best when we have a goal in mind and principles to guide us. But setting our path is not a one-time occurrence. All too often, gales alter our direction. A prime example of this is seen in the lives of recent tornado victims. Loved ones lost. Homes destroyed. Health damaged. Jobs gone.

Yet these people pick themselves up, right their boat, so to speak, and continue sailing. I’ve seen it again and again in friends and acquaintances who’ve survived natural disasters. It takes time, but they regain control of their lives. How do they do it?

1.      They refuse to be defined by their troubles, no matter how severe.

2.      They express gratitude for things that are easily taken for granted, like sunshine, friends, the ability to walk.

3.      They choose to be tough.

4.      They’re proactive, working hard to take control of their lives.

5.      They help others do the same.

6.      When they need to cry, they do, and they aren’t ashamed.

7.      They choose to be positive.

8.      They deepen their faith.

9.      They reach out to others to give and receive support.

10.  Once life has stabilized, they resume their quest to reach their goals.

It’s usually not a natural disaster that blows us off course. Sickness, injury, financial hardship, discouragement—these are a few of the tempests that enter our lives. When they do, hold fast to your goals, steer by your guiding principles. You will triumph in the end. 

What difficulty upended your world and how did you work your way through it? Or are you still?