Gift From The Sea

As Lindbergh says, “the beach is not the place to work; to read, write or think” (21). Lindbergh visited a beach on Captiva Island, Florida, and on a literal level, the beach serves as an ideal place to get away from distractions and be with oneself. It is relaxing and warm, requiring no additional possessions or company to be enjoyed. However, the beach also symbolizes any place or activity that offers retreat or respite from ordinary life. For example, one’s “beach” might be a camping trip in the woods, fishing on a lake, or hiking in the wilderness. What matters in these cases is not the specific geographical or physical features of the setting. Rather, it is important that the context affords one solitary space and time to reflect, away from the usual busy patterns and habits of life. In this sense, one’s “beach” need not even be a place literally removed from the ordinary home and world. The beach can be anywhere that permits a person “to exist for a while in a different and more peaceful tempo” (9). For instance, it could be found in playing a musical instrument, praying, or simply reading a book in a quiet room.