In the loop

This month Lizzy Dabczynski-Bean finds the notion of an ocean earns her some pearls of wisdom…

with Lizzy

La st night I went to the ocean. It’ s been ages since I’ ve visited the Pacific–so my husband and I jumped at the opportunity to visit with some old friends, build a bonfire, roast marshmallows, and catch up while lounging on the beach.

But here’ s the thing–something I’ ve only really begun to admit to myself within the last couple of years–I think the ocean is actually pretty frightening.

If I put on a‘ doom and gloom’ mind-set, it’ s so easy to think of the vast ocean as something unforgiving, relentless and scary. It’s huge. It’s deep. It provides no respite. You can’t even drink from it! It’s something humans have tried to conquer for thousands of years, with many of those stories ending tragic ally.

The ocean has taken so many lives but it also is‘ home’ to countless more. And so many kinds of creatures live and hide in that great, deep beyond. (Certainly they’ re all out to get me, too, right?).

However, if I put on a more philosophical, loving-mind-set, all that doom and gloom turns around pretty quickly.

Perhaps the ocean’ s vastness serves as a reminder for us to remain humble. Perhaps the ocean’ s depth should remind us of our similarly limit less capabilities. It’ s unforgiving nature certainly provides a challenge and adventure, for those that are seeking such things.

The ocean is home to many creatures, it’ strue. But for every‘ scary’ shark ore el, there’ s a loving mother whale taking care of her pod. There are sleek, lovely birds floating effortlessly on the water’ s surface, b asking in the sun. There are adorable seals, and even cuter, newly-hatched-sea turtles making their way to the ocean for the first time.

Perhaps the ocean is actually a symbol of hope, rebirth, and life ! Nowhere is this concept more perfectly illustrated than in the mind-boggling structure of a sea shell, made of mathematically perfect shape sand fractals, otherworldly textures, and exquisite colour combinations.

This month, my mandala quilt square design is inspired by the abalone shell, recognised not only for its shape( it fits perfectly in your hand !), but also its iridescent, colourful mother-of-pearl interior–checkout my photo (right) to see for yourself.

Tome, the thought that something as beautiful as this can simply be grown naturally in the ocean creates a we and in spires me with wonder and gratitude! What an incredible world we live in, where such beautiful things can exist.

Have a wonder fully happy, and colourful, day!

Lizzy