Shelling

Obsessed!

Dec 2

Every once in a while you can find your own shell holder!

It’s an obsession, an addiction like a drug —only not bad for you.

My Mom and Dad had a condo right on the ocean in Fort Lauderdale quite a few years ago. We would visit to escape the Upstate New York winter weather and I remember walking the beach and feeling like a million bucks. There was nothing like the ocean breeze, the warm sun on my body, the feel of the waves approaching the shore
and that smell……………..ahhhhhhhhhh…….heaven.

We walked a few times daily on the beach and my Mom would never catch up to us. Her head would be down most of the time looking for shells. I couldn’t figure out what the big deal was about “shelling” until I tried it myself; well, so much for the walking. I was addicted way back then and now I believe I’m worse than my Mom. I can’t help it. For the life of me I can’t begin to imagine why the heck it NEVER gets old. Shouldn’t I be sick of it by now? The answer is nope.

Whenever I stay at the beach my first thought is about the tide and if it brought shells onto the shore. To be honest I do walk a good distance at a decent pace. I just could never join a race because I’d come to a complete stop whenever my very experienced eye got a glimpse of that special shell. Ridiculous!
I’ve gained quite a collection in the last couple of years being here and they’re all over this condo. You’ll see some of the pictures on the website. After collecting many shells I’ve now become a shell snob. I don’t look at the ones I have a lot of anymore unless they’re the shells that are special to me in which case I can’t have enough. I never pictured myself as a shell snob but I am.

Anything that comes from the ocean (minus plastics and trash) is sacred to me and I believe the ocean has healing properties. There are some shells that I’ve turned into necklaces, bracelets or anything that keeps them close to my body.
Some shells aren’t really shells, they’re unique pieces that are various sizes, shapes and appear to have a wood grain and are just beautiful! Those have an extra smooth texture on one side and I keep a couple in my pocket. When I’m stressed, nervous or need to think I just rub my thumb up and down the smooth part and it helps relax my mind taking me right back to the ocean.

One of the best advantages about shelling is it’s the most inexpensive therapy ever. It quiets my mind and keeps me present where I belong. Sometimes it’s good to escape our world and enter a place where there’s peace, lovely thoughts and beautiful nature. I truly believe if we all took just a little time to get close to nature we would have an easier time with life and all its dilemmas.
The same feel is present when I’m walking in the woods, forest or a back-country road.

I would recommend shelling to anyone; there’s no discrimination here. Welcome to my obsession!!