Perhaps this is the most important thing for me to take back
Perhaps this is the most important thing for me to take back from beach-living: simply the memory that each cycle of the tide is valid; each cycle of the wave is valid; each cycle of a relationship is valid.
Hear the gentle wisdom of Anne Morrow Lindbergh, who, reflecting upon the sea, spoke thus: “Perhaps this is the most important thing for me to take back from beach-living: simply the memory that each cycle of the tide is valid; each cycle of the wave is valid; each cycle of a relationship is valid.” In her words we hear the eternal rhythm of nature mirrored in the rhythm of human life.
She speaks of the tide, rising and falling without end. No part of its motion is wasted, no ebb less meaningful than the flow. Each moment, whether retreating or advancing, holds its place in the grand order. So too with our lives and loves—what seems like decline may simply be preparation for renewal, and what seems like loss may be but a stage of hidden growth.
She names also the wave, that ceaseless pulse of the ocean. Each crest and each trough is necessary, each cycle complete in itself. In this image we are reminded that not all seasons of joy last forever, and not all seasons of struggle endure endlessly. Both are part of the same living movement, and both must be honored as valid.
Finally, she turns to the relationship, likening it to the sea. Love, too, has its cycles—its surging highs and its quiet lows, its moments of closeness and its times of distance. To declare each cycle valid is to free the heart from despair, to accept that change does not mean failure, but simply the natural course of human bonds.
Therefore, O seekers, learn from the ocean: embrace the turning of the tide, the rising and falling of the wave, and the changing seasons of relationship. For in their cycles is not disorder, but wisdom—each phase a necessary part of the whole, each moment carrying the quiet blessing of truth. Would you like me to render this into a poetic meditation, like verses of the sea sung as sacred teaching?
PTNguyen Phuong Thao
I find this quote incredibly soothing. It’s a reminder that life moves in cycles, and that’s okay. Whether it’s the tide or our relationships, nothing is permanent, and every phase is part of the bigger picture. Sometimes, we might feel like we’re stuck in a negative cycle, but perhaps it’s just another wave passing through. How many of us struggle to let go of certain phases in life or relationships? Could we benefit from simply accepting each phase for what it is?
HKHoang Khanh
This quote made me pause and reflect on the natural rhythms of life. Just like the waves, our relationships go through different phases—some peaceful, others full of turmoil. But the key point here is acceptance, isn’t it? What if we learned to accept the cycles of our relationships, knowing that each phase serves its purpose? The thought of embracing the ebb and flow instead of resisting it seems freeing. Could we adopt this mindset in our own relationships?
THHua Thi Hao
I love how this quote connects nature and relationships. It reminds me that no phase of life or relationship is wasted, even if it feels challenging or incomplete at the time. It’s comforting to think that every cycle—good or bad—is valid, part of a greater rhythm. But it also makes me wonder: Do we truly appreciate the quiet moments, or are we only focused on the peaks? How do we find balance in the cycles of our own lives?
DDocaophuc
This quote really resonates with me. It’s as if Anne Morrow Lindbergh is teaching us that life, much like the waves, is full of cycles—sometimes calm, sometimes turbulent. Each phase, no matter how fleeting, is meaningful and valid. How often do we get frustrated with life's ups and downs? Maybe we should embrace them more, understanding that just like the tide, every moment has its purpose. What do you think? Do we value the cycles in our lives?