I am in awe of the ocean -- a place of so much water, yet only a portion ever touches the shore. Its power brings things to the sand, and it washes things away. At high tide, it can overtake the beach so that there is nothing of the land left visible. At low tide, it can ebb so far back that sea life and creatures can be gasping for life and relief.
It is ever changing, ever moving, untamable. An unwitting individual can misread its power and get sucked in by the undertow. Or wary and willing adventurers can resist this pull, and build strength from it and grow.
There is much beneath the ocean's surface: life, death, pleasure, and danger. I am in awe of its breadth and power.
Friendships can be like the ocean. There are so many people in this world, and yet only a few ever touch our lives. Some friends bring things in to our lives, others take things from us. At times, a friendship can seem to overwhelm us and we can feel completely covered and submerged. At other times, friends may feel so distant from us as to be unreachable and leave us wishing, dying for more.
Our friendships can be ever changing, ever moving, untamable. An unwitting individual can find themselves sucked in to dangerous territories by friendships. Others may learn and grow stronger from the pulls and challenges that friendship gives them.
There is much to being a friend: life, death, pleasure and danger. I am in awe of its breadth and power.
cjp 10/07/03
I would not want an untroubled life.
Good is only truly realized when things are bad. One overlooks a cool and gentle hand unless laid on a fevered, sweat-filled brow. Five dollars found in a forgotten pocket means the most when all others are empty. Water is sweetest when the throat is bone dry. Rest is most welcome when the day is longest. An acorn must die for a tree to live; a shore must end for the sea to begin. The stars shine brightest on the darkest nights. So although we must have pain, the things that hurt the most, most quickly reward us when the healing begins.
How much more rewarding the mountain view
When the steps are two hundred and not just two.
cjp 09/30/92