24 – Tides *

Special thanks to Robin (MaidinSun Photography) for providing the photographs. For this walk, Robin takes us to the shores of the Bay of Fundy (New Brunswick Canada). I encourage readers to visit her at Breezes at Dawn. All photos are copyrighted by MaidinSun Photography.

Click the video above for 2 minutes of background waves while reading.

I like walking on the beach. It is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet.

Waves and tides are rhythms within a rhythm – different rhythms, but no less rhythms. Perhaps, even different rhythms within a grander rhythm.

Waves and tides – two of the timeless, reliable rhythms of life that make creation and the nature within it so grand.

Waves and tides are both rises and falls of water. Their fluctuations resemble our changing moods as we swim against the challenging, changing tides of life – but today I’m focusing on tides.

The tide is either moving in or out. A movement I can’t tell or know unless I know it’s timing. Tides are a movement affected by the hidden power of Mr. Moon, who isn’t the only factor. Yet, this relentless rhythm keeps its own time – the time of the next tidal crest.

With its ebbs and flows, tides are one of nature’s consistent rhythms. A natural rhythm of rising tides serving to rejuvenate the inland waters with nourishment: the sea marshes, canals, and intercoastal waterways.

The shoreline is where land meets the sea – yet the land also continues below the water, It’s the shoreline that disappears and reappears with each tide. I walk at the shoreline. Low tides here are typically in the morning, which usually means easier walking as the sand is flatter and packed.

Tides – the slow breaths of our planet – usually one slow inhale followed by one slow exhale.

Tides are one of the factors moving new shells onto the shore – a delight for shellers in their pursuit of natural beauty.

Tides are predictable, but not always on time – at least they are generally close. However, like time, tides won’t wait because we are unable to stop them.

In time, the rising tide will turn – but so will the receding tide. That’s what rhythmic cycles do.

A rising tide lifts all boats, which can drift with the tide. Organisms can stem the tide, but clams are happiest at high tide.

The concept of moving tides play a role in life in other ways. Other terms for tides include direction, trend, movement, drift, course, tendency, and swing.

Tides are like music that comes and goes – or even as different songs on the same day.

Most things may not last forever, but there is a high probability that tides will. Fashions, people, visitors, emotions, and the seasons are a few things that come and go – just like tides.

Shifting tides are a metaphor for new ideas, new approaches, and new technologies that come along changing society. Meanwhile, resisting the change means getting left behind, washed away, or allowing riptides to take one further from reality. Then again, there are times when we want to turn the tide of madness – or at least try.

Tides also refer to a powerful surge of feeling or a trend of events – but the tides of the sea are slow and steady. At times, life has us going against the tide, other times with its directional flow – but life continually against the tide is extremely difficult.

Going with the flow is easy because the tide is powerful. Fighting the tide is difficult – but the battle could be rewarding.

Love is like a tide – complete with an ebb and flow. But unlike the tide, lovers want an upward projection. The same for true friends. Besides, everyone wants someone supporting them during high tides and low tides.

Down here in Alabama many say, “Roll Tide Roll” – but that’s another story.

I had the urge to think about tides, so I didn’t fight the urge. I just went with the flow, which is part of being a snowbird. Meanwhile, I like walking on the beach. It is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on the feet.

See what other bloggers have posted about tides

• Rockpooling at high tide in Scotland (mainly photos)
• Chasing High Tide (Haiben poem)
• Changing Tides (photos and a short story)
• Low Tide (photos and an essay)
• The Resting Tide (poem)
• High Tide and the Golden Gate (photo)

Next Post: Soundscapes – 22 December @ 1 AM (Eastern US)

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