Simplicity

Beachcombing is an activity that involves searching the beach for items of value, items dropped by others or washed ashore from sea. With the millions of people who take to the beach each day around the world I imagine that a serious beachcomber might have half a chance of actually finding something worthwhile.

I'm not a beachcomber. In fact I could think of nothing worse than walking along a beach eyes gazing at the sand around my feet instead of at the world around me but that's just me. That doesn't mean I haven't found anything of value on the beach myself, just that the things I value are different.

What have I found? Good question.

I have found solace, the peace and quiet to listen to myself without the intrusive ambient noise of the world around me. I've walked remote beaches with nothing but the sound of restless waves coming and going, the call of sea birds and the breeze ruffling my hair. I've found moments to sit and reflect upon life, where I've been and where I'm going both physically and emotionally. I have found pleasure in the simplicity of walking, bare feet touching the earth, of breathing salty air, and the absence of humanity.

I know that in today's materialistic, hubris-loaded world many don't value those things however to me they have a value far greater than the things people surround themselves with typically. Simplicity is probably the thing I find to be of most value; The feeling that life is simple, at least for those moments whilst I'm strolling the shoreline.

I'll leave beachcombing to other's and work hard to find those places far away from others where I can find true value and one of the most elusive treasures in this world. Simplicity.