I have always been a very independent person. Even as a young child I would get angry when people tried to help me with things that were proving difficult for me. I seemed to get the sense, even at that tender stage of my life, that I was somehow failing if I couldn’t do it on my own.
Over the years I have been able to let some of that stubbornness go, not all of it, but enough to allow me to see how a helping hand can smooth the rough edges that I used to cut myself on repeatedly. As individuals, we are porous rocks. We are permeable and sometimes allow too many of the negative things in our life shape the person we become. We have bumps and impurities and we develop jagged edges to protect ourselves from unwanted encounters with anyone outside of our realm of comfort.
As we journey through life, we collect friends much like a beach collects grains of sand. And akin to those grains of sand, our friends help smooth our rough edges. They help transform that rough exterior and, with love and compassion, they help us to become more polished by eroding our jagged exterior and finding the beauty underneath.
(image courtesy of Google)
My beach stretches for miles. The many grains of sand that comprise my shore come in all shapes and sizes and although some stay close to me and some remain on the periphery of my seascape they are all equally important parts of that beach. I try to take as many long walks as possible along my shorelines and appreciate each grain of friendship in my life. And though I may not make it to the outer boundaries very often, know that each of you, near or far, have contributed to the beauty of my shoreline.
I’m all about interdependence – I cannot possibly have all the resources at my own fingertips, so it makes sense to seek out guidance from those around me that I love. I’m glad you reach out for it….Your shoreline will always be lovely.
I have some beautiful grains of sand on my beach, and whether I have met them face to face or not, they are all equally important. 🙂
I love this ~ beautiful!
Thank you!!
I’m stubborn like that, too. Especially when I’m pissed. I don’t like asking for help.
At least you let a few people through the armor.
Very few. My armor is back up for now after all the shit that has gone down. But the people that were already in are still in. Except for one.
Hope I’m one of the ones on the inside!
Of course.
🙂
A great metaphor!
(What about when the sand gets in those…sensitive places?)
Thank you….I guess I like to keep my friends close!! 😉
poetically prosaic
thank you….I think. I’m hoping you didn’t find it boring.
not at at all — enjoyed it immensely
Okay good….I was a little concerned when you said prosaic. And thank you!!
I was misconstruing prosaic–sorry — nice word–crummy meaning — when I remember the word I really meant I will be back — sorry for mis-commenting
Lol….no worries. I just wanted to make sure I hadn’t created a big snooze fest. 🙂
you have not and I am embarrassed to have made the mistake
Oh, please don’t be….that was not my intention at all….I’ve done it many times!!
What you wrote is beautiful, and accurate. My beach must be that stretch what has medical waste and oil slicks on it.
Lol….I’ve met very few people that can leave me at such a loss for words!!
It’s breathtaking! You literally can’t breathe.
Oh, and thank you very much for the compliment!!