A Writer’s Tool – Water

A slough on the prairies.

I  never feel so many emotions inside as when I watch the water.  From the time I was young galloping across the prairies I have marvelled at the varying thoughts when I see water.  Yes – our farm had copious amounts of sloughs (insect infested waters, full of grasses and often drying up by fall in the dips and crannies).  But to see them on a clear day was to see the bluest of blue waters with sparkling fairies dancing on the rippling surface – a mystical dream.  To see them on a windy day – large enough to see ‘white-caps’ – a tiny power somewhat like the power of a child.  On a hot day – not wanting to get the itch (somewhat like measles if you dared swim in these waters) – I would ride my horse into a slough at a gallop.  The splashing water was a welcome relief from relentless heat.

As I grew older I visited the Great Lakes.  One of the most fascinating things I  watched was the huge ships climb the waters in the locks man has created.

Ships climbing on the St. Lawrence River outside Cornwall, Ontario.

Then I saw the ocean and realized this was what water could teach me. The lazy, rolling waves giving me a feeling of peace, tranquility and calmness.

My niece’s ‘back door’. Calm and a special thank-you message she sent me.

The tide coming in – Tofino, Vancouver Island.

The roaring power of huge waves reveal a power and I feel an anger inside. Water has the ability to summon many emotions I require to write. I find watching water is a great method to summon those emotions.

 

Search for Peace and Hope

 Search for Peace and Hope:

A post by Sean.  I like the way he ties in and questions why the waves of the ocean cause calmness within. This is another example of his beautiful in-depth pondering on a simple aspect of our lives that uplifts and helps me in my daily tasks.  Thank you Sean.

I went on a vacation the other day. This was not the type of vacation you take when events are so stressful that you need to be completely removed from life, but only partially removed. I am lucky enough to live in a place where I can visit the ocean, and even luckier that I went to a place situated right next to a beach. For an entire day, the waves of the ocean drummed in my ear. For those who have not experienced it, or for those who have forgotten, the ocean is one of the most calming natural devices. There is something so transfixing about the waves. Listening to it, the concept of time is not as urgent. Everything is able to slow down. Considering how technology-driven our society is, this is a blessing. Unlike modern life, listening to the ocean does not require checking or updating of any kind, whether it be for cell phones, e-mail, Facebook, online chat rooms, tweets, or texts. Having such a break is really a pleasure. As I listened to the ocean, I heard the repetition. Is this why it is so calming? Is there solace in the knowledge of the aquatic ritual? I would like to say that there is. For me at least, there is a comfort in knowing that, no matter how far out the waves go, they will always return in the end. I like to see it as a kind of metaphor for hope. Life often seems like it is slipping away from us. It is easy to feel that the life we have created is being washed away and that we are losing control. It is as if we are the waves that are being drawn down, down, down to the beaches. But there is hope. No matter how far down we go, if we continue to hold on, we will return to shore. Hope is something that many are deprived of. With such a focus on the negativity, it is hard to remember about the concept of hope. Reading books like Mary’s changes this. They re-awaken you and help you to remember the good in life. Why must we focus on the bad when we have so much good? Sometimes, something as seemingly simple as staring at the ocean or reading a great book can help you to remember that, no matter what, you will make it through.