Sea glass shares message of healing and renewal

What if everything we need were already here? In our reach . . . if only we noticed it.

It’s a question I’ve pondered. It prompted me to reflect on an amazing trip last Spring – a Retreat with a group from my church to Orcas Island, Washington. This hidden gem is part of the San Juan islands in the Pacific Ocean northwest of Seattle.

The week was filled with pastoral experiences, brought to life through hiking to fabulous vistas atop Mt. Constitution, kayaking, whale watching, and beach walking.

Two “firsts” for me were seeing real starfish clinging to craggy rocks and learning about sea glass. I had never realized that starfish glisten fluorescent purple and orange – almost extraterrestrial-looking. And I’d describe sea glass as an amazing mashup - a creation of human hands that’s upcycled by nature, with a sprinkle of fairy dust.

Sea glass is formed when discarded shards of broken glass, like ordinary bottles or tableware from shipwrecks, are tossed and tumbled, shaped by ocean waves. Over many years, sharp edges are caressed and edges rounded, gaining a frosted patina. Sea glass then washes ashore for treasure hunters to find.

Life often feels like it washes over us. Sometimes we float on waves of routine and at other times, we surf its tsunamis, feeling untethered from our mooring. To regain our grounding, it’s good to ask ourselves three questions:

·       What do I control?

·       What do I influence?

·       What do I not control?

These questions enable us to pause, gain clarity, and find our way forward – whether we face a passing storm or tsunami. Writer Bernadette Noll captures the message of sea glass beautifully.

I Want to Age Like Sea Glass

by Bernadette Noll

I want to age like sea glass, smoothed by tides, not broken.I want the currents of life to toss me around, shake me upAnd leave me feeling washed clean. I want my hard edges tosoften as the years pass — made not weak, but supple.I want to ride the waves, go with flow, feel the impact of thesurging tides rolling in and out.

When I am thrown against the shore and caught between the rocksI want to rest there until I can find the strength to do what is next.

Not stuck — just waiting, pondering, feeling what it feels like to pause.And when I am ready, I will catch a wave and let it carry me along tothe next place that I am supposed to be.

I want to age like sea glass. When people see the old woman I'll become,They'll embrace all that I am. They'll marvel at my exquisite nature,hold me gently in their hands and be awed by my well-earned patina —neither flashy nor dull — but just the right luster. And we'll both feel luckyto realize, once again, that we have landed in the perfectly right placeat just the right moment.

I want to age like sea glass. I want to enjoy the journey and let mypreciousness be, not in spite of the impacts of life, but because of them.

Leslie J. O'Connell is a consultant with Cavendish Vernal, a Milwaukee-based leadership and organizational firm. She can be reached at LeslieO@ccvernal.com.