Clean Up

Costa Rica has some very lovely beaches. Part of the reason, as we have discovered during our stays, is there are crews of public employees sent every week or two to clear away any rubbish or debris on the beaches. They cut up trees that have washed up on the beach, clean up trash, and in general make the beaches friendly again. That’s especially nice for people who are beachcombers, such as the woman in the middle of the picture.

The interesting thing about this particular beachcomber is she wasn’t picking up shells, or coral, or driftwood, or hermit crabs. She was picking up trash: bottle caps, red plastic cups, candy wrappers, what ever. Stuff that in general is too small for the crews to bother with but which still interfered in beach enjoyment and ecological health.

As I’ve grown older, the big pieces of driftwood or trash or what have you in my life have largely been dealt with, the stuff that is really super visible to not just me, but everyone who interacts with me. I’m left with beachcomber debris which is no less unattractive or unhealthy but more difficult for me to see. Things like selfishness, being reckless with the truth, gossip, vague promises.

Things that require a great deal of diligence and continual effort on my part to make my soul healthy. Beachcombing my soul is a regular and necessary activity.