Shells

I grew up near the ocean and over the years developed a deep love for beachcombing. When I was younger, I chose only the prettiest shells. They had to be perfect with no chips or cracks. I collected only those with pretty colors and smooth surfaces. I have acquired quite a collection! Recently, on a trip to Florida to visit my youngest son, I took a long walk on the beach. For some reason my eye was drawn to the broken shells, the ones that were laying at the water's edge that no one had seen fit to pick up. I began to wonder why. I started to think... we are like sea shells in so many ways. Like shells, we come in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes. Some are very smooth and some have rough edges. There are those that are very plain on the outside but are absolutely beautiful on the inside. Then there are those that are beautiful on the outside but the inside tells a different story.  There are some shells that even have life inside and then others that when we peer inside, are quite empty. Some of the most beautiful shells that might be sought after by most, are extremely fragile. There are shells that have other shells or barnacles attached to their surfaces, quite like some people that are carrying a tremendous amount of weight on their shoulders. Many shells have holes and cracks that have formed from years of battling crashing waves, tossed about in the rocks and sand before coming to rest at the water's edge. How often have we walked right on by not giving them a second glance because we think they are not worthy, they are not perfect. As my mindset began to shift, I started picking up ONLY broken shells, noticing the subtle nuances of each one... a tiny hole, little cracks, rough edges, smooth ones, shells with beautiful exteriors but hollow interiors, shells that at first glance were plain but when you looked inside they were intricate and beautiful. With each one I collected, I thought how alike they were to people all around me. We are all broken in some way, but we are all also unique and beautiful. We have all faced hardships and trials just like the shells tossed about in the rocks and waves. The struggles are what make us strong and beautiful. It has been said that the cracks are where the light comes in. A light that has been honed by lessons learned, battles fought and wisdom gained. We let the light in so we can then send that light back into the world, bigger and brighter for what its been through. My walk along the beach that day taught me something... look closer, look inside, seek to know and understand that which created what you see. Celebrate each and every unique difference and see the beauty in the broken.