Thoughts on Sand

April 8th, 2003

Aloha and Good Morning,

So, I was thinking about sand. The other day a salesman stopped by our door. “Your life,” he explained, “Will never be complete until you own the world’s best vacuum cleaner.” Then he told us how sand ruins our rugs. Each tiny grain has up to seven sharp edges that cut and grind away the fibers.

So, I was thinking about sand. . . Sand and sharp edges. What are the sharp edges in my life that cut and grind? Some mornings my alarm clock alone has at least a hundred sharp edges. Who among us can’t find a hundred other things that offend our sensibilities?

We seem to smash up against the sharp edges of our expectations, our attachments and our relationships – where a single sharp word cuts into the heart of our beloveds, inflicting wounds that last from moments to months to a lifetime. We cut ourselves on the sharp edges of unconscious reaction patterns that reinforce negativity and hurt rather than invite love and warmth.

Then I thought some more and turned it around in my mind. It’s not about the jagged edges life presents to me. It’s about the jagged edges I present to life. In my soul there remain many sharp edges, the little hooks that catch and bind the smooth flow of my life, the natural energy and manifestation of the divine. This is neither good nor bad. Polishing down the sharp edges of our souls is simply one of our normal life processes. Meanwhile, awareness and compassion can cover our cutting edges; for in every moment, we have the ability to choose what part of ourselves we present: the harsh, hard edge or the vulnerable, soft, cuddly, squishy, teddy bear parts that gush spontaneous geysers of acceptance, love, warmth, compassion, laughter and joyfulness.

Besides, the sharp edges of sand can only be seen under great magnification.

When one pulls back and looks at the greater picture we see Zen gardens and the still space in the dune’s shadow, sand castles and children playing. We see lovers strolling hand in hand and the ocean tide’s eternal caresses. We see the softness in our partners touch and the love in the depths of her eyes. We see the oft silent struggle of everyone simply doing the best they know how. We see our part. We see the dignity, value and importance of creating a habitual reaction pattern that seeks the softness within ourselves, our heart space, our stillness, our balance. We come to the realization that the more we can gently give this part of ourselves to the beloveds beside us, the more love naturally flows back in the circular cycle of life.

        It bears repeating: if we fear anger, discomfort, disharmony or being fired from our jobs, the essential core energy of those emotions flow outward from us. Since energy is attracted to like energy, those emotions collect more of the same until finally they have enough energy in the dream world to manifest in the created world. In other words, our subconscious will always work to create the circumstances which we give energy to and we will inevitably find ourselves confronted by that which we desire the least. Rather, can we not create a self-embracing heart space and cast it upon the waters so that we can welcome its inevitable return?

         May your heart cling to joy, peace, and centeredness and may your soul’s
focus be the castles in the sand and not the sharp edges.

Love and Aloha,
Holman