Whenever taking a walk on the seashore, or exploring rock pools, I always go home with a little pile of pebbles and sea shells. Each has a story to tell, reminding me of special times.

Some I'm very possessive over, but I do part with others when I get a request from a small child, or a visitor from inland, so just like the ebb and flow of the ocean, they come and go, bringing pleasure to other homes.

Don't you just love the feeling of the sand beneath your feet? It really is the best way of grounding. Most of our beaches have fine sea sand, others bigger grains, but still smooth and easy to walk with your bare feet.

Beaches in other regions have really coarse sand with sharp edges, making it impossible to walk barefoot.

I still find it wondrous to think that the beach sand is made up of tiny shards of sea shells, smoothed as it rolls against each other, moved by the wind or the waves. It's almost miraculous that those tiny grains of sand can smooth pieces of rock into perfectly formed pebbles, smooth the edges of broken glass, and as we saw recently when visiting the North Coast of Kwazulu Natal, we also saw bricks lying on the beach, with its edges smoothed.

This constant rubbing of the sand particles that makes the grains smoother, makes me understand why the term 'sanding' is used for the painstaking process of smoothing the rough edges of the wood.

^{The biggest stash I ever collected on a recent weekend away}

Is that not how we grow and get to know each other better?
Figuratively rubbing against each other, smoothing the rough edges, and understanding the people who cross our paths? We may clash; be it strangers, workmates, and even loved ones. Occasionally, the 'sanding process' fails, and prompts us to start anew. Yet, how wonderful, and freeing, when we realize the importance of embracing our differences. We can still sand some parts to make a good enough fit.

With kindred spirits, there's very little need for 'sanding', as there's a 'meeting of minds' where we're open to growth and discovering exciting new stuff.

I know I'm just rambling on here, but I think you understand the essence of what I'm trying to say.

We end up sanding each other throughout life, and still stay true to ourselves, keeping our individuality.

Nature has a way of teaching us life lessons, and each time I pick up a beach pebble, I think of the process it's been through to become so smooth, and allow others to help shape me into a better version of myself!

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^{Artwork by @artywink}