Reciprocal Nature Prompt

How Calm the Self by The Sea

‘The Serene Sea’ a nature prompt

I’ve been meaning to walk down to the sea.

I didn’t need much prompting.

After I read Monoreena Acharjee Majumdar and Dr. Preeti Singh’s collaborative prompt and story as only they could write it, I knew it was time to breath in that refreshing winter ocean air.

It’s an unseasonably warm New Year’s afternoon. What better time to visit, ‘The Serene Sea.’ So I travelled the one hour drive to Salisbury Beach State Reservation on the Atlantic ocean in Massachusetts.

I’ve always loved the sea.

When ever I visit I feel the calming of those pesky thoughts. The sweeping away of any stress. The relief from physical discomfort while gently floating in those salty waves. The wonderful feeling of walking in the soft sand.

All it takes is a walk by the waters edge.

Feeling those outgoing waters bury our feet in the wet sand. A couple of steps and the stress is already gone. A seagull calls out from above the gently breaking waves.

The low tide and sparse winter crowds add to the serene feeling. I walk slowly, splashing my feet at the edge of a tidal pool. I feel the gentle blowing of this mild winter wind. Sunbeams bouncing off the water and sand. Eyes squinting in the low angled light of the winter sunshine.

Walking and looking back towards the land.

Clouds seem to hang motionless above the horizon.

People are scattered about, alone or in small groups, some with their happy and calm dogs, all wandering around in their own serene thoughts. Standing between last year and the coming year’s demands. A quiet and tranquil peace decends upon the landscape.

Low tide and the sea is more serene still.

Sand forms patterns of waves left by the receding ocean mixed with the footsteps of people and dogs and seagulls. These signs of this present will soon be submerged and tossed about in the waves of the incoming tide.

The soft light falls on the golden leaves of winter’s dune grasses. I smell the salty sea spray and all’s forgotten. So calm and calming. I think I’m ready for the new year.

Written in response to Monoreena Acharjee Majumdar and Dr. Preeti Singh, and their Reciprocal collaborative nature prompt, ‘The Serene Sea”.

I thank both of my friends for prompting me to go visit the sea and write about it.

Please read their beautiful collaborative story with information on the prompt below…

Please read Marianne O and her New Year wishes…

Relax by The Serene Sea with Marta Henriques…

Thanks always to the editors of Reciprocal, Sahil Patel Yana Bostongirl, and Dr. Preeti Singh.

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