The View of the Land from the Sea
Whenever I am on holiday, I take every opportunity I can, to look at the sea.
The movement and sounds of the waves as they crash onto the sea shore and the view of the distant horizon mesmerize me and fill me with a sense of awe and wonder and peace and calm.
I usually negotiate with my wife, at least one day of walking along the coastal paths where I experience the joy of the undulating landscape with the sea always at my side as I walk along, thinking, praying, being, wondering, repairing and loving my injured soul.
Last week, I walked along the coast in South Devon with joy at the familiarity I have for this beautiful coastline from Torquay through Paignton to Brixham which never fails to assist the healing process within my tormented soul.
As I traveled back to Torquay on the ferry across Torbay, I experienced something new within me of the view of the land from the sea.
The coastal view was opened up before me to reveal all of the hidden nooks and coves and cliffs which had been hidden from my view as I had walked along.
I had this sense from my seat on the ferry, of being able to recognise how far I had walked, but also how much had been hidden from my view.
The view of the land from the sea enabled me to bring a more rounded and deepening perspective to the experience which I had enjoyed whilst walking and thinking.
I think this concept of the view of the land from the sea has something important to say to me (and perhaps you too!) about the importance of never assuming that what we see is the full picture.
There is always the possibility of looking afresh at familiar problems and worries and anxieties which restrict my / your capacity to feel safe, by searching within our souls for a new dimension, which will widen our capacity to move forward, or to accept the challenges we face.
I think next year, I might benefit from flying over this bit of coastline, but until then I’ll imagine what it is like because when we put our minds to it, we can be anywhere.
William Defoe
