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July 25, 2003
The Sea Shell
I was walking along the beach here in Florida the other day and I saw a not so unusual sight, a shell half buried in the sand. Reaching down I picked it up and washed it clean in the surf rubbing the dirt and sand from its surface. It was, I guess, a beautiful thing if you like shells but really not extravagant. It was simple and small sitting there in the middle of my palm a light creamy white color with purple flecks out near the edge blended with a darker cream. The front edge had been damaged slightly from the force and consistency of the waves. It was unique, there were others similar but this one was totally its own and yet laying there in the sand it had no value. It was simply the cast off exterior to a dead crustacean.
But when I lifted that shell from the sand something about it changed. Its size, shape and color did not change. It did not sprout wings, begin to speak, or even draw breath and live. But now that little seashell was different then any other on the beach. I gave that seashell significance when I made it my own. Within that action I gave it the value that I have by making it my possession. I made this seemingly ordinary shell significant only because it was mine. I took it not in spite of its blemishes but because of them. I washed it and made it clean. You could say that I gave it my name, accepted it, and changed its place in the world.
That seashell had done nothing to deserve my attention or my gift. But I chose it over all others to make my own. I made that shell something when I picked it up. I made it mine.
Posted by paul at July 25, 2003 11:23 AM
Comments
you need to start writing a book. now.
Posted by: matt at July 25, 2003 11:47 AM
Ah, the hylomorphic properties of slavation now belong to a sea shell.
Posted by: Ochuk at July 25, 2003 12:34 PM
slavation? is that a country in eastern europe?
Posted by: paul at July 25, 2003 01:13 PM
i think slavation is actually the opposite of salvation...
m
Posted by: matt at July 25, 2003 02:37 PM
I'm slavating from the mouth right now...
Posted by: Ochuk at July 25, 2003 05:41 PM
I think "Slavation" is the song that the Rock Band in Ames performs which sounds like what happens when Charlie Hall's "Salvation" meets Audioslave.
I disagree with Matt. Paul, you need to stop thinking. Now.
Posted by: Pat at July 26, 2003 12:31 PM