1. Low Tide Moment

         On a simple wooden bridge, under the blazing afternoon sun, it was low tide. With the tide out, there was no energy to be found. Both people and the jetty were lazily resting. We chatted sporadically about past high tides, reminiscing about fishing, net casting, splashing in the water, swimming, and boating…… But now, the boat lay listlessly stranded on the beach, and even the sound of the tide felt lethargic.

         Suddenly, in the distance, I saw a friend bend down, reaching into the water under the floating platform. I curiously walked over to her.

         “These are cockles. They sell for quite a price at the market,” she said, holding up the dark, unremarkable shells.

         Soon, several friends gathered around to help. Everyone found a common purpose, and the jetty sprang to life with laughter and chatter, filled with joy and excitement.

2. Because of Low Tide

         It was because of the low tide that we saw the cockles. It was because of the low tide that we felt the urge to gather them. The once quiet jetty erupted with laughter thanks to this simple act of collecting cockles……

           Life is full of surprises!

         Surprises? Were the cockles not always there? Why didn’t we notice them before the tide receded?

          It was the light, the water level. The cockles, attached to the wooden beams, couldn’t adjust their position as the water level dropped, thus exposing themselves. It’s in moments of quiet reflection that we make discoveries. There are so many intricate coincidences at play.

         Isn’t it strange? Often, it’s the subtle details in life that bring us joy amidst the chaos. The roaring, relentless sound of the tide is impressive, but the serene presence of the cockles is what truly touches the heart. The blessings of the tide can be overwhelming, yet the discoveries that come from within offer a profound sense of joy.

         Joy comes from personal discovery, and it also comes from sharing those discoveries. Joy often resides in the everyday moments around us, waiting for us to uncover it ourselves.

         Discovery requires sensitivity and attentiveness to the small details. The discoveries in life bring us joy; the joy of life needs continual discovery. The joy of discovery adds a tangible sense to a life that sometimes feels surreal.

3. Under the Setting Sun

Cockles Glimmering with a Green Hue

         The sunlight painted our faces a bright red. I pondered the relationship between life and joy.

          After a while of gathering cockles, we spent a good amount of time removing the parasites stuck to the shells and rinsing them with water.

        As the sun began to set, a duck-green sheen started to appear on the cockle shells…

         From that moment on, the rise and fall of the tide became less significant to me……