Have you ever dribbled a sand castle by mixing sand with water?

At the beach throughout the years, I have helped our four children create amazing castles. In the warm sun, we have spent hours building our creations. But only half our time was spent in construction; the other half was spent in reconstruction. Every time an enormous wave came that decimated our work, we would have to move the structure further inland.

Moving inland, created a challenge. First, the children would need to be convinced that it was in their best interest to start over. Then we had to move all the supplies: buckets, shovels, a sieve, and the colorful plastic molds.

After relocating, we would launch into the new project by digging a deep moat to divert the water. We also competed, trying to build the highest turrets. With practice, we became proficient at dribbling castles.

Before completion, the children would run up and down the beach, combing for treasures—shells, seaweed, colorful sea-glass, and a stick for a flag pole—to adorn the magnificent castle. After discovering the perfect materials, they would sprint back triumphantly.

Seaside Reflections

Our beach memories remind me of the parallel between the ocean and my life. While the ocean beckoned me with an unlimited water supply, I chose a tiny, minute amount of water or resources. I settled for less.

For a period of time, I felt content with a tiny bucket of water to dribble my castle until the waves pushed me further inland, causing me to run back and forth filling my little bucket with a few cups of water. It was then that I finally realized what I was missing: an ocean of water.

With the minuscule fraction of water my bucket held, I continued to dribble the sand castles when an unlimited supply was within my grasp. When I look at my painting, entitled Pouring Out Sand Castles, I want to remember my lessons from the ocean and look for the unlimited opportunities that are within my reach everyday.