Once, on a late December morning, I decided to stroll along Nauset Beach, one of the most breathtaking to be found on Cape Cod. The late year wind was cold, but refreshing. As I walked along the shoreline I occasionally glanced over my shoulder to spy my solitary footprints in the sand. I was conscious of the fact that at the time I wasn’t sure if the tide was coming in or going out. I was walking without purpose at first, just trying to clear the fog in my head.
I had noticed that there was an object away in the distance ahead of me, and I recall closing my coat tighter around my neck and thinking to myself, “Well, I’m not going to walk that far.” I then thought of the footprints behind me and imagined the waves washing them away. That made me consider, like many have before when leaving footprints, how temporary our time is, and how we should relish each step in our journey.
Soon that object in the distance appeared much closer and I thought, “Yeah, let’s go for it.” I picked up my pace, then, almost immediately found myself sprinting toward it. It turns out it was only a large piece of uneventful driftwood, but as I circled it I stumbled across my earlier single set of footprints now trailing toward me. Looking down the long stretch of beach I could tell that at first they meandered gently, then straightened and dug deeper into the sand at the point I decide to investigate the washed up wood. It was I then realized that the tide was indeed going out and my steps would be preserved a few hours more. I decided to use them as a path to return to the parking lot where my outing had begun. It didn’t take long before I noticed that I wasn’t matching my footprints step for step. At first I weaved back and forth over my original route, but ultimately my new steps were coursing closer to the water’s edge. Yes, the tide was receding, but the tracks I left made it appear as if I were pushing the ocean back. This was a very interesting experience for me, analogous to the pursuit of goals and life itself.
The mark we leave on the earth is indeed temporary, but it may be longer lasting then we think. It is fine to meander through the day without purpose if you like, but when you pick a goal that you can see, you can’t help but race for it. Once you reach your destination, make the time to reflect, to see how far you’ve come. Although you may want to retrace your steps, you won’t be able to match them exactly because the conditions have changed, as new goals present themselves. And you will find yourself, if only fleetingly, pushing back the ocean. What a beautiful experience and with contemplation, a wonderful gift from God!
I had noticed that there was an object away in the distance ahead of me, and I recall closing my coat tighter around my neck and thinking to myself, “Well, I’m not going to walk that far.” I then thought of the footprints behind me and imagined the waves washing them away. That made me consider, like many have before when leaving footprints, how temporary our time is, and how we should relish each step in our journey.
Soon that object in the distance appeared much closer and I thought, “Yeah, let’s go for it.” I picked up my pace, then, almost immediately found myself sprinting toward it. It turns out it was only a large piece of uneventful driftwood, but as I circled it I stumbled across my earlier single set of footprints now trailing toward me. Looking down the long stretch of beach I could tell that at first they meandered gently, then straightened and dug deeper into the sand at the point I decide to investigate the washed up wood. It was I then realized that the tide was indeed going out and my steps would be preserved a few hours more. I decided to use them as a path to return to the parking lot where my outing had begun. It didn’t take long before I noticed that I wasn’t matching my footprints step for step. At first I weaved back and forth over my original route, but ultimately my new steps were coursing closer to the water’s edge. Yes, the tide was receding, but the tracks I left made it appear as if I were pushing the ocean back. This was a very interesting experience for me, analogous to the pursuit of goals and life itself.
The mark we leave on the earth is indeed temporary, but it may be longer lasting then we think. It is fine to meander through the day without purpose if you like, but when you pick a goal that you can see, you can’t help but race for it. Once you reach your destination, make the time to reflect, to see how far you’ve come. Although you may want to retrace your steps, you won’t be able to match them exactly because the conditions have changed, as new goals present themselves. And you will find yourself, if only fleetingly, pushing back the ocean. What a beautiful experience and with contemplation, a wonderful gift from God!
