Along a quiet stretch of beach, while deep in walking meditation I found this Paper Nautilus. It was early morning, the sun was just beginning to peek up over the horizon and the sky was a magnificent blue.

 

It’s been my experience that perfectly preserved sea treasures find their way to my feet when I’m most at peace. It’s an energy thing. Send it out and it comes back to you. Positive or negative. What you put out you receive the same in return.
 
Living at the beach has given me a new perspective. This is my Heaven, my solace. It is here that I am most at peace. The journey here has been long and, at times, arduous but it has proved fruitful with a bounty that continues to grow daily.

Many years in the making, this dream to live by the sea has come to fruition after much hard, personal work and the love of people who supported me. Granted, there were a few who discouraged and disappointed but there were more who rallied and cheered. Some I don’t even know but I keep their words on my desk like these from Shel Silerstein.

In one of his books, Silverstein said:

“Listen to the mustn’ts, child, listen to the don’ts – listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts – listen to the never haves, then listen close to me – anything can happen, child. ANYTHING can be.”

Remember that. ANYTHING can be. Attach your dreams to some positive energy. Then take a look out there to see what’s coming back to you.

My wish for you is that you will find your own perfect seashell in the dream of your life. In the meantime, make it a beach day, whatever that looks like for you.

<*(((><

Copyright 2008 Diana Taylor
Photo credit: Diana Taylor, Paper Nautilus

For more photos of the paper nautilus including some with sea creatures attached visit:

http://www.seabean.com/ThingsThatFloat/PaperNautilus/index.htm

And this description of the Paper Nautilus from The Columbia Encyclopedia:

“Like the closely related octopus, the paper nautilus has a rounded body, eight tentacles, and no fins. It is so named for the beautiful papery shell, up to 8 in. (20 cm) long, that surrounds the female while she broods her eggs. This structure, actually a calcareous egg case, is secreted by the tips of the female's two greatly expanded dorsal tentacles prior to egg laying. After she deposits her eggs in the floating egg case, the female takes shelter in it herself; she is usually found with her head and tentacles protruding from the opening, but she retreats deeper inside if disturbed. The much smaller male, which lacks the modified dorsal tentacles, often shares the shell of a female. It was once believed that the paper nautilus, or argonaut, uses the expanded tentacles, extended from the shell, as a sail.”  -- The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, 2008