Yes, I am a fanatic sheller and beachcomber… but some days I want to visit the sea to find calmness and peace.
The beach reminds me that life’s treasures aren’t always obvious. At times I have to stop for a minute or two and focus on everything that is surrounding me. Then take another minute or two to refocus from the large obvious objects, to the smaller items that I may not have noticed.
There is so much there and so much more to enjoy. That’s when I am happiest.
 By the look on Kelly’s face, she found a little happiness too.
Kelly (Colorado) picked up a TINTED CANTHARUS, WENTLETRAP and golden CHESTNUT TURBAN near Gulfside City Park.
I don’t see the TINTED CANTHARUS often so here is a look at the aperture side of the shell…
It also makes me so happy to find someone else that only collects one little shell to make them all warm and fuzzy (although we didnt need much help with getting warm… it was in the mid 80s. Nice!). I was happy to meet Susan from Naples…
She was thrilled to find this beautiful little COQUINA. She told me she loves butterflies and showed me her butterfly notebook which matched her sweet little COQUINA. That’s all she needed to make her day of shelling complete. One COQUINA. Every day should be that simple.
With all of the beautiful shells strung along the beach, Caryn from Michigan was quite amazed by the SPONGES, EGG CASINGS, Â and even the BONES (leftover bait from the crab traps that fell out) that were scattered on the beach. Ah! Somebody else that loves that BEACH BLING like I do!
And I met other beachcombers that found a few treasures but just as happy to be on the beach with the fresh air and sunshine. Here is Bernadette from Quebec City, Gertie from Arizona and Angela from Melbourne, FL (with the iLS shell ID card!)…
Ahhhh. Yes. I found my not-so-obvious treasures in seeing the happy faces of others enjoying what Mother Nature does best… reminding us that every day is a gift.
Beautiful post! Words to live by.
Love those striped coquinas too! Thanks for a lovely post.
As bad things surround us, it is wonderful that nature can soothe our souls!
Beautiful, pictures and the words. Nice change from what is going on here in Mass…made me tear up. God Bless
We’ve all had such heavy hearts with whats happening in Massachusetts so I want you to know I’m thinking of you Lisa and all of you. We will get through this with calmness and peace but also by being aware. xo
You are such a kind soul Pam, you’re blog is so wonderful and uplifting, thank you for bringing us all the sunshine and shells! And, I’d like to say, you are Wicked Awesome!!
Thank you for the words of wisdom, Pam. We all have to be reminded of how lucky we are. And these pictures remind us of that.
Beautiful pictures!
Love your blog.
What a lovely post. Just wanting to let you know that Canadians are praying for the US this week as well.
I am also visiting from Toronto and am praying for peace in America…….I feel so lucky that we don’t face as much trouble in Canada.
I really appreciated the beauty and peacefullness of this post today. Thank you.
To everyone in the Boston area, our prayers are with you. God bless.
I second Katherine’s sentiment. Our thoughts are with those in Boston.
Beautiful philosophy Pam, thanks.
After a difficult day at work, I love coming home to check out i Love Shelling. Today was a particularly tough day, and your words were just what I needed. Thanks for always being there for so many of us. Long-distance therapy!
Thank again Pam to share with us your beautifuls days !
Your beautiful words were a balm for my stressed soul. Thank you!
A beautiful reminder to stop and smell the shells…..thanks, Pam.
After this week, words we should all remember!
The wonders of nature have always soothed me when the world seems to have gone mad. I wish everyone touched by this tragedy could experience the peace a visit to Sanibel brings.
This saying has been my motto since I moved here four years ago…. for those interested, the Dollar Tree has the saying on a “cling” you can place on walls, mirrors, windows etc and easily remove or move with no marking or marring. I have them EVERYWHERE, even on my boat….
In this crazy world where not much makes sense anymore, shells are a heavenly reminder that there is new beauty and calmness brought to us every day … But we must look to find it.
Shelling = cheaper than a shrink and no prescription required, no side effects and endless creativity therapy hours !
Oh, what a wonderful realization!! … Rx= a handful of seashells and warm beach sand between our toes…. and the fresh gulf breeze… Nature’s original anti-depressant… and Pam’s lovely blog is like a tonic for the soul :)
I used to have a high stress job and often worked 80-90 hours a week. My husband would insist we visit Sanibel once a year, because he noticed how relaxed I became after a week of shelling. Looking for gifts from the sea helps me reconnect with nature, my spirituality, and the simple joys of life. Now we spend a month there every winter. :-)
My dear husband Mitch just passed away last week. We always loved Sanibel and went there often to walk and dream together on the beach. The water does have a wonderful calming effect and a sense of renewal. I’ll hope to get there soon to have the calming effect sooth me from my loss. Sue
My deepest condolences Susan. Sanibel has a special meaning for many of us. My stepsister passed away two months ago and my stepmother, as part of her tribute, went to Sanibel and scattered some of the ashes at Blind pass. I’d like to think that Mitch, like my stepsister Maria, is, in a new way, walking along side us as we walk along Sanibel’s beaches. Take care, Susan.
Donna, Thanks so much for the understanding words. I appreciate hearing from you. Sue
Oh Susan, I am so sorry to hear about your sweet Mitch. In the few moments I got to spend time with him, I could always feel peace within him. Shells remind us that every passing life leaves something beautiful behind. I know that Mitch’s beautiful life will live forever in your memories and in your family’s as well. Take good care, Sue, as we are all sending our love you way. pam
Hi Pam, Thanks for the kind words. Mitch lives on in our beautiful sons and our wonderful grandchildren…..This will give me strength !!!
fondly, Sue
Pam, as others have written your words speak such beauty and love of life. There is nothing more fulfilling to all my senses than to comb the beach. With the atrocities of terror brought by evil and even the devastation people have experienced at the hands of Mother Nature……; we are all so in need of your kind words. Thank You
Such inspiring words to begin my day with. I have also found myself so involved in the sanibel stoop when I am there that I forget to look up and see the beauty around me. The ocean, the skies, the sealife, and all Gods beautiful creation. My prayer is that I will never take all the loveliness for granted.
I have had the Pacific at my front door all my life growing up in Malibu and now living in Santa Barbara CA. I feel the same. Its so grounding to just spend time on the beach. People that do not live near a beach need to visit more often so they can experience how calm and peaceful it makes you. It a lifestyle only some of us are so blessed to have every day. I love waking to the sound of the waves near my house and having the opportunity to walk on the beach whenever I want. Its so beautiful to live in bliss!
My father never understood this…I needed 2 weeks shelling on Sanibel every year to recharge my batteries. It’s like being at one with nature…very spiritual. :)
Before I even looked at these blogs, my thoughts while reading and looking at your blog was, Oh my Pam, did I ever need this. Once again your words, pictures and insight of what people need to hear and feel came across. My thoughts have been with the 2,800 residents of tiny West, Texas and the many lives that were affected by the bombings in Boston. God Bless…
What a soothing blog. It brought back some beauty to the world.
Pam, Bless you for your inspirational words. The sea has given me many spiritual experiences which I treasure. I am fortunate to live near the Jersey Shore and yearly visits to South Florida. Will be on Sanibel May 11 -25. Cannot wait to search for whatever “gifts” God graces me with during my stay.
Hope to meet you on the beach!
I feel that you and I are kindred spirits. I, too, find solace beside the sea. Your Sanibel is beautiful, peaceful, and intriguing, and you are blessed to live there. What I like most about you is that you appreciate it, love it, and share it with us. Thank you.
I completely agree, Pam! We must learn to stop and appreciate what is around us and count ourselves very lucky indeed!