As the early morning glow of light began to illuminate the beach, I noticed the number of people increase slowly.
Some jogged with shoes on, some sloshed barefooted through the edge of the waves like me. Others strolled at a reflective pace, while others marched with purpose through the shells and the sand of Clearwater Beach, Florida.
Somewhere near the end of this peaceful morning experience, I noticed movement about 25 yards from the shore.
Dolphins! Three of them, gently undulating their way in and out of the water in flawless circular fashion. With their shimmery skin reflecting the early rays of light, they sliced through the waves without a single splash.
Instantly, giddiness and playfulness woke up within me. A sense of awe and wonder and beauty infused my soul with delight.
And I wasn’t the only one. I only saw two kids on the beach this early (clearly drug out there by their parents)! Naturally, they squealed with joy, but what struck me was how these graceful creatures of the ocean caused the adults to unite in friendliness.
“Did you see the dolphins out there?” “Aren’t they beautiful?” “Hey, there they are again!”
From the toned and tanned to the flabby and floppy, people greeted one another with a renewed dose of grace…different from the strained, “pre-dolphin-sighting” greetings.
And so, I am thankful when life delivers a dose of beauty that instantly releases me from my worries into a state of wonder and harmony.
Worth Repeating
Wisdom begins in wonder.
-Socrates
