Life Lessons from a Sea Anemone
I’ve been fortunate to spend a lot of time in Mexico over the years, on the Baja peninsula specifically. My wife is from San Diego and we’ve made an effort to visit at least twice a year for about fifteen years. Recently, in a post about ways to combat feelings of overwhelm, I shared that we love to scuba dive. We actually got our open-water certification in Cozumel and had an amazing dive trip down in Baja Sur near Cabo Pulmo last November. I’ve been landlocked most of my life but have fond memories of weekends at Virginia Beach when I was a kid. I absolutely love the ocean and the extraordinary marine life that call her home. I feel at peace by the sea. I love the sound of the crashing waves in the distance and their constant reminder of rebirth and renewal as they ebb and flow. I love walking the nearly empty beach with my thoughts, my hopes, and dreams, and maybe the occasional happy dog chasing after seagulls or sandpipers nearby.
The beach is filled with all kinds of life and examples of the perfect imperfections of Mother Nature. One of my favorite sayings that Chris Do is known for (especially on TheFutur hats), is “God is a designer”. I love that idea and how it reminds us of the vastness of design and how the universe has many lessons for us to glean as we engage with her. Tropical fish are perfect resources for choosing color palettes when thinking about options for your brand or marketing materials. The shape of sharks has been used in the design of planes and automobiles.
During walks on the beach, you might encounter several different types of birds. In Mexico, the rodeo circuit and cowboying are still very popular. You’ll most likely find yourself sidestepping horse manure as you walk behind a family taking a sunset ride up and down the coast before some tacos de pescado y cerveza. Many a night, before the sun goes to bed for the evening, you can see gulls diving into the water hunting for their dinner, or a pod of dolphins surfing in the waves alongside local surfers.
At the northern point of the beach, some large, black, porous volcanic rocks line the shore. They are submerged when the tide is in but when it s out you can get up close to them. One morning in particular I was out for a run and got up near them and could see a bunch of sea anemones scattered all over the rocks. I noticed that some were in little pools that had been carved out by the sea over time. Some were camped out on top of the rocks and seemed dry and like they didn’t have any water to keep them alive. Others were nestled under the rocks in the sand and were covered by the water looking happy as clams. It seemed like some were perfectly placed to fend for themselves and others maybe not so much.
I kept running as I went by but began contemplating these sea anemones and the life lesson they were teaching me that glorious morning. On my way back from the end of the beach, I chose to stop and walk as I neared the section with the sea anemone. I was compelled to pause for a moment to ponder their lives. I started to notice something. The tide was coming back in a bit and the waves slowly began to wash up over the rocks and bring with them food, nutrients, and sustenance. It provided everything those little sea anemones needed to survive and not only that. They were thriving. They were flourishing with this wonderful bounty the sea was providing them because they were in the right place at the right time. They were able to enjoy their time in the sun. They were able to find safety and security in their chosen place of shelter. They were able to soak in and absorb the water they needed to survive when the tide went out and conditions weren’t ideal.
These lessons apply to us in our lives and in our business. Sometimes we just need to chill and enjoy the bright and sunny moments. We need to keep doing the work, practicing our craft, and devoting our days to what we were put here to do. By constantly soaking in the knowledge, wisdom, and experiences available to us we prepare ourselves for the slow or hard times. Sometimes we are busy and thriving and things are great! But as Mother Nature teaches us, we need to be prepared for when the tide is out. Positioning ourselves for the ebb and flow of the tide provides a pathway to success no matter what the landscape might look like. Being prepared for when the tide is in allows us to be vigilant and strong when the tide goes out. The important lesson the sea continues to teach us is that it will always return and along with it comes the spoils for those who are prepared.
Did this story resonate with you? I’d love to know what connected with you most. Let me know in the comments or email me.
