Due to the fact it is a public beach, I was not alone. But because it was winter, fortunately there were not packs of tourists sunbathing in speedos across the sand and screaming to their kids down in the water, which would really ruin the experience for me. I sat in my jeans and sweatshirt and watched the water for awhile. I tried being like Emerson, not thinking about anything in particular but watching nature. The waves had a very rhythmic crash to them, one after the other like a very, very slow metronome. It was fairly foggy and grey out, and the waves were dark and sort of salty looking. It is hard to explain every color I saw in the waves, but there were so many different hues and tones. The best was watching the horizon. It was a perfectly straight line distinguishing between the ocean and the sky.
After awhile of trying not to think, my mind started wandering. I thought about how much work I had to do, and how cold it was outside, and how I really should be getting back home. I was getting very antsy and checked the time, which I know I should not have done. I had only been out for 15 minutes. I put another jacket on and forced myself to go back to my prior state of mind, and watched the waves. I saw a seagull, a bird that I find the most obnoxious after pigeons and crows. It scooped down into the waves and came up again and sailed over the water. I found myself wondering what it would be like to be a bird for a day. Ever since I was little my favorite super-power was the ability to fly. I imagined what it would be like for the seagull: flying over the ocean, picking up fish whenever it wanted, sleeping wherever it wanted, even going to the bathroom literally wherever it wanted. It was strange, but it made me think how diverse nature on the beach was. I really liked this assignment because it let me relax and take advantage of the nature we often take for-granted in everyday life.
2 comments:
I was in the same situation when I tried to go on my nature experiment. I didn't know where to go and the beach was most definatly one of many options, and after reading your response to the beach, I wish I would have gone there. Living in San Diego, I can attest to the fact that I take the beach for granted, and never realize how many people would be awe-struck and gratified to witness such a miraculous creation. The beach is simple when looked at as a whole- just like Emerson says we should look at nature. But if we disobey Emerson's rules a little we realize that the beach is a million different part all working together to create a serene and beautiful place. Just like you described the slow rythm of the waves, Emerson describes how we should slow down our life, and realize the beauty and nature that surronds us every day. I understand how you couldn't describe your experience completely because I couldn' describe mine either. I respect you for sticking through the cold just to be an Emersonian thinker ;)It is true that we have to think of nothing, in order for our minds to wander and think of something. I really liked this post Lauren!
Lauren, I remember you wanting to be able to fly when you were little!! Haha ok anyways your post reminded me a lot of my experiment. I went to the beach too. Waves must universally calm people. Like you, I was affected by their repeated breaking and felt calmer after a while. Something about the fact that waves never stop, you can depend on them to continue rolling into the shore forever, I think that is what makes us admire them. They are very dependable.
I also checked the time after 15 minutes. I think I felt antsy because it's weird not doing anything. I always have a million things to do and therefore never take a break and just watch the waves.
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