People reveal their talents without charge beside the ocean. A painter, attempting to capture the scenery on canvas, hopes to prolong its beauty. Or fishermen, casting their lines from the bridge and patiently waiting for fish to take the bait. Perhaps there is a musician, strumming on a guitar and allowing the ocean breeze to carry their voice far away. Placed at their feet is a guitar case containing spare change that has been dropped by generous strangers passing through.
Out across the water, surfers perch on boards, buoying in wait. Watch as they holler for joy when catching waves, only to tumble off their boards and plunge into the water. Then they surface, pushing wet hair out of their faces with laughter in their throats. Behind them, a few sailboats glide across the water, interspersed with a lone speeding jet ski.
Across the street, bungalow porches fill with neighbors chatting and sipping drinks, their sunglasses catching the colors of a pink-and-orange sky. Cyclists roll by. Then come joggers and roller-skaters—movement that mirrors the day’s energy and ease.
Near the shoreline, sand turns dark and damp. A frisbee sails overhead. A golden retriever splashes after it, tail wagging, while nearby volleyball players gear up for the next serve. Seagulls stroll through it all, unaware of cameras pointed at the setting sun.
The waves, as always, come and go. They polish smooth rocks and uncover half-buried shells. They remind us: the sea will always be here—for peace, for play, for perspective.
It’s an unspoken privilege to see the ocean with one’s own eyes, as some will not even know that joy within their lifetime.
Breathe deep, bask in the enhanced serotonin. Let the sinuses clear, feel the lungs expand. Take solace in the fact that the ocean remains an unmoving expanse, one that will always be there for comfort or realization. When exploring the beach, what will you see?