Pebbles In The Sand

No one gives much thought to the pebbles in the sand. They only enjoy walking barefoot along the beach, where the mist gently kisses your face, and the wind wraps you in a cool embrace as you stroll under a blazing sun.

One pebble in the sand may not do much, but it does disrupt the surrounding sand, even changing the way the water flows, if ever so slightly. Many pebbles can prevent erosion and stabilize the sand itself.

Overtime, pebbles can turn into sand. The constant pressure of rolling waves and rubbing sand eventually wears down the pebble until it breaks apart, becoming sand itself.

Not all pebbles are alike. Some are round and smooth, some are flat, and some are oval. They vary in sizes, even if at times only in the slightest degree. Their colour varies as well, offering up a beautiful palette to those lucky enough to observe them. Each pebble contributing to the stabilization of the land, preventing erosion. Each pebble offering up its beauty individually, and as part of a collective.

Some people love collecting the larger stones and their smaller pebble counterparts to place in vases, make mosaic tile displays, or just hold in their hand to rub a thumb against.

So, why do I write about pebbles in the sand? It’s because, in this life, we are all pebbles in the sand. Each of us has an impact, no matter how small. We are similar, and yet unique. Unlike the pebble, we get to choose the type of impact we will have. Will we reinforce the sand and prevent erosion, or will we sit stubbornly, refusing to move, or change, becoming a barrier?

Then again, a pebble in your shoe can be quite uncomfortable. Comfort is not to be found until the pebble is removed and returned back to where it belongs. We shuck our shoe, dump the pebble, and return to walking in comfort.

The choice is always ours. Do and say nothing, sitting silently by while corruption and evil reigns, or speak up and say, or do, something. How many lives have been saved by those that risked their owns to save another?

History has a way of repeating itself, for better and for worse. When that happens, it is up to those that remember to ensure their story is passed down from generation to generation so none forget. North vs. south within a country, within a continent. Efforts to eliminate entire races and displace people. These must not be repeated. The lessons of the past cannot be buried in the sand. They must be secured, remembered, and learned from.

The greed and ambitions of a few power-hungry men destroying what so many have built before them seems to be growing. They amass their followers with promises of glory, breaking those same promises almost immediately. They suppress the truth and confuse with flowery words and bizarre statements meant only to distract one long enough so they don’t focus on what is truly happening. False statements are floated in the air like sleet, slashing and obscuring visibility. All the while they are attempting to take what is not theirs to take.

I can only speak for myself, and say I’d much rather be a pebble in a sea of many pebbles working together to change the flow, and help prevent the erosion of what is good and truthful, than be someone sitting silently by.

Pebbles always appear. As one or more is removed, it is replaced. They are an unbreakable and unstoppable force. When my time to become sand arrives, I will gladly return to dust. Until then I continue to choose to be part of the beautiful pebbles in the sand. We must stand together. Strong. United. I will choose compassion over heartlessness, generosity over greed, and  love over hate. What do you choose?

Free inspirational or motivational posts can be found on the inspirational page of Leslie’s website.