Shells

Nature shows us who we are

 

Recently I went to the beach.  One of my favorite things to do when I visit the beach is to collect shells.  This is something my children and I have done ever since they were little.  While we were out enjoying the beautiful weather, each member of my family collected various shells.  At the end of our time there, we would put all of our shells in a pile and see what the other person had found.

 

For me, I only looked for the perfect shells with no flaws.  My daughter likes to collect shells that are shades of white.  My son would collect the pieces of the larger shells that were broken.  My husband found pieces of corral.  At the end of the day, it was an interesting mix. 

 

My perfectionist side wanted to discard the pieces that were not whole or perfect.  My creative side wanted to toss out some of the white shells that looked so similar to each other.  But what I realized when looking at all of these shells was that they were all beautiful in their own special way.  Looking at these shells reminded me of how nature repeats itself in every area of our lives. 

 

Each shell can represent a person.  Some people feel broken inside, yet they continue to persevere.  Some shells carry scars, but they retain their beauty.  Others may all look the same from the outside, but need a closer look for their uniqueness to be seen.  And while some shells may look perfect on the outside, but they carry invisible hurts that they do not show to the world.

 

These shells are like humans.  They have flaws.  They have bumps and bruises from living their life.  And some of them may feel like they are broken, but they continue to keep going.  Together they make a beautiful representation of life.

 

Each shell is important.  Each shell is beautiful in its own way.  Just as you are.  Without these shells, the beach would not be the same.  And without you, this planet would not be the same.  I know right now many feel hopeless, depressed, and uncertain about the future.  But you are meant to be here.  You have a unique purpose.  You are needed.  And you are as beautiful as these shells, whether you are scarred, broken, or imperfect.