130 – Keys

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

It’s interesting how my topics came to be. Something that seems like metal in the sand caught my eye – tarnished and grimed. it’s a key. Because the style is more modern, I doubt it matches a sunken treasure chest. As I was deposing it in a trash can, I noticed the elastic band around my wrist with the condo key. Bingo! I have my thought for the day. 

Key – the small piece of metal shaped with specific cuts to act as a code to a specific lock.

Key – an implement used to fit a hole or a space designed to let something in or out. 

Photo by Ylanite Koppens on Pexels.com

I think places for keys – to a house, a room, a lock, a bank box, a cabinet, locker, door, chest, a locket, or many personal spaces. We commonly think of car keys, house keys, master keys, and skeleton keys. Each of these keys corresponds to locks, padlocks, deadbolts, doors, and more. There are other key types, such as locks with numbers, tumblers, and even electronic signatures. 

Thoughts of keys take me back to my teaching days – especially thinking about the custodian possessing a large number of keys. Who knows how many times I went to them to open my classroom because I locked my keys inside.  

Today’s keys are also numerical combinations, passcodes, keycards, fobs, and even username and password because they are all keys allowing entry into a reserved personal space. Keys are more than something on a ring because they can be individual letters, numbers, or symbols on a keyboard.

Everyone doesn’t receive a key. After all, possessing a key is a sign of trust to protect personal possessions while having privileged access to something valued. It’s a good feeling when holding a master key – the one key for many locks. 

Photo by George Becker on Pexels.com

I chuckle thinking about the role keys play in protecting and securing life, but then laugh at the ease of a locksmith getting around the security system of locks. 

While one seagull uses its peak to shred flesh from a dead fish carcass, I see another seagull using its beak to pry open a clam to get food. The beak unlocks the clam’s private place. Yes – a seagull’s beak is a key. 

Looking at the water, I only see the surface. Maybe the surface is the door – the key to understanding what lies below – a way of getting there and having the background knowledge to understand that world.

Maybe the sea is an unlocked door – an invitation to those who want to know – or even dare to enter – but are keys required? I say yes. Oceanographers need to integrate knowledge from different disciplines – biology, geology, hydrology, physics, ecology, meteorology, climatology, and probably more – all to understand the processes of the marine underworld, their interrelationships, and how they fit together.

While a locket has a keyhole leading to the heart, the key to unlocking the heart is unique to the person. Some people want intellect – others humor – others physical beauty to have eye candy by their side. Niceness, trust, honesty, sincerity, generosity, and empathy toward others are important to people – but perhaps as a numerical code, in different combinations for different people. 

Photo by Giallo on Pexels.com

Keys are associated with music. Keys can be the levers for the fingers to depress on a piano, organ, flute, clarinet, accordion, and more. Keys can be the group of notes comprising a scale delivering the music’s mood and spirit.

Key is the answers to a test, quiz, questions, exercises, or problems. Key is a legend on a map, table, and graph explaining symbols and colors. The key on a basketball court is the marked area near each basket, including the foul line and the free-throw circle.

Key is of utmost importance – the critical, essential, fundamental, important, leading, main, principle, significant factors to a topic; such as the keys to designing, health, leadership, marriage, success, personal growth, personal wealth, relationships, and many more. 

Keys to a good decision involve looking at all the possibilities. Occasionally, time is lacking for a complete analysis – so we seek advice from someone who knows or has prior experience – an expert. 

As a ballroom dancer, I believe the keys to a successful dance are connection, timing, and chemistry. The connection with the partners is through contact points – hands, shoulders, legs, and hips. Dancers hope for clean signals and responses to them. Good connections enable clear signals. Some connect through their mind and soul – that’s chemistry. Movements to the timing and rhythms of the music are also important keys.

Vintners know the keys to making fine wine, brewers know the keys to producing a high-quality beer, and chefs know the keys to delivering a particular taste in a meal – well, at least for those who take time to taste what they eat and drink.

Photo by Ana Madeleine Uribe on Pexels.com

Commentators identify the keys to the game – what each team needs to do to achieve the win – keys for a victory – their success. The key for a new product is design and application for people – yet what good is it if there is no use. But another key may be the marketing plan of getting the word out – let alone the overall business plan.

Thinking about keys has been an interesting journey because keys have a powerful meaning – most commonly around security, access, and importance. I remind myself of the times when my keys were misplaced – and the frantic feeling that follows – looking over and over. 

But now, I think about the keys to a good beach walk: a reasonable temperature, a refreshing breeze, firmly-packed relatively-level sand, and a good distance. All those in this place today. No wonder I like walking on the beach because it is good for the mind, body, and soul – and refreshing on my feet. 

See what other bloggers have posted about Information

• A Pot of Keys (a photo)
• Keys to His Happiness (a poem)
• Mystery of the Keys (a poem)
• Her Secret Key (a poem by an occasional visitor here)
• Key to Your Heart (an essay about a song – with lyrics and a music video)
• Fitness is the Key (an essay)

Next Post: Math – Wednesday 18th May @ 1 AM (Eastern US)