Ok, I guess it all depends on who you ask. Many would say that diamonds are more precious. But when I walk on the beach I get such enjoyment from noticing the little coquina shells and then taking still life photos of them.
Like this one:
or this one:
or this beautiful lavender and yellow one:
or this one with bird tracks nearby:
Or my favorite, this striped one, with big shell pieces and a feather:
I used to impulsively pick these shells up. I wanted to take and keep these beautiful objects. But recently I’ve realized that I don’t really need them at my house. I don’t need to fill baskets and jars with shells. Or glue them all around a mirror (although that’s very pretty!)
I love the shells right where they’ve washed up. They’re so beautiful when they’re wet, against a background of sand and little tracks.
Over the years I’ve thought a lot about what I really need and what I really want. And what’s truly precious and valuable to me. I wrote about it, from a more financial standpoint, on my coaching blog today: Five ways I stopped letting money get in the way. Click over if you like! I’m also hosting a class at the end of January called The Indulgent Path to Money Management. If you struggle with managing your money and are looking for something that won’t make you miserable but will help you get your finances under control, without being creepy or gimmicky, go check it out! Either way, I’d love to hear what you think, and if you’d like to share it with others, feel free! Oh, and there’s a video of me over there telling about the class, so if you’ve been wondering what I sound like you can go see!
So, what do you find precious that’s actually free? Breathing and laughing come to mind! What else?
All your shells are beautiful and its important to observe, listen, learn. TY!
Glad to reconnect with you this year …
•.★♥★Happy New Year to You & Yours!★♥★.•
Eliz
You too! Happy New Year!
#2 and #4 remind me of a butterfly.
Yes, they do! So pretty.
I’m with you, I love them more than diamonds–never been a diamond fan. I need to go to the beach soon.
I’m right with you on that!
I agree shells are more valuable than diamonds. I am not a diamond fan and I am a huge nature fan. Beautiful simply beautiful post.
Thank you so much!
I love the blue shell duo – it reminds me of angel’s wings.
I also appreciate people who leave the shells vs. pick them up and take them home; leaving them allows others to enjoy their beauty, too. (It’s the ol’ abundance vs. lack mindset…)
Yes! Exactly!
Borrowing piles and piles of books from the library.
Hugs from my family.
Friends showing up unexpectedly on the doorstep eager to chat and spend a lovely evening together.
Sudden burst of sunlight on a cloudy day……
These are wonderful!
Its always the simplest of things isn’t it? With a mild sprinkling of the exotically unexpected. Like a trip to Italy, for example.
Yes! Italy!
Walking, shooting pictures (I guess that really isn’t free since I had to buy the equipment but…) on a late spring day in NYC.
Yes – once you have the equipment, taking pics is free, and that’s pretty amazing! Late spring in NYC – sounds divine!
They are beautiful shells. I’ve had the same realization about picking things up. I used to pick up shells, rocks, feathers. I was a bit like one of those birds that collect shiny things. lol! Now I photograph them if I feel a need to “collect” them.
I still have trouble leaving pretty feathers behind! I wore them in my hair like jewelry when I was hiking the AT… I would pick a different one or two each morning – blue jay, yellow shafted flicker, owl…