Low Tide
It goes without saying that we all have experienced a lot of things we had not imagined when we hopefully stepped into 2020. I am not alone with having lived through a number of losses. Many of us are depleted and exhausted and wondering about the future, if we dare to look ahead past today. In July, I had written a post, which I did not publish, about the waves of life and how I was looking forward to the upswing after a low wave, but then I realized that life for many of us is more like low tide. The shift will happen, but it might not be as quick or dramatic as a wave pouring in.
I have been lucky enough this summer to spend quite a few days living on a tidal pool. Although I have known this place since I was young, I didn’t appreciate its uniqueness until rather recently. At high tide, it is full, like a lake, and at low tide, it is an empty clam flat. I was going to take a picture of it for the blog, but didn’t get a chance, but you can see it below, under the picture of the glorious sky. It usually looks grey and relatively lifeless. A stream of water ribboning through, the clam flat flat and mucky.
The other day, my husband, Hugh, and I decided to explore down there. We call it a “muck walk” and I hadn’t walked in the clam flat for almost 20 years. What we found there was surprising! What looks like a flat, grey, lifeless landscape was absolutely teeming with life and delights. We marveled at the number of different kinds of living shells dotting the landscape. Small birds, not visible from the house, were scurrying on the muck. Larger birds floated and swam around on the river. The earth itself was so interesting, with parts so soft, we felt like our feet would disappear and other parts firm and more sand like. Time stood still as we wandered around exploring the small area right near our house - we never even walked very far afield.
So, while I would say that life might feel like low tide right now (when will it turn?), I am trying to take in the lessons of that explore and finding the delights in every day. They may not be “normal” or what I have (ha! ha!) planned, but when I stop and look around, there are many delights to enjoy.
Copyright 2020 Nancy C Murray
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Nancy C Murray is a yoga teacher, yoga therapist, Reiki master and spiritual leader. She leads public and private yoga classes and healing sessions, transformational courses, and also retreats and spiritual journeys.
We plan on walking the Camino again in 2021! Click here for more information.
