Do not look for a sanctuary in anyone except yourself.

Although a sanctuary can be a place of permanence, it may also be a temporary respite, a place for contemplation and solace. A refresher, if you will. And for the past 35 years or so — maybe even longer — our sanctuary has been the beach, that magical place bordering the ever-changing, yet ever-constant ocean. Our favorite place comes as no surprise to those of you who have followed our blog for a while: Pawleys Island, South Carolina.

At times, I take sanctuary walking the North End of the island, dodging puddles and hopping over rivulets of sand in the hope of finding shells worthy of bagging for the trip home. Sundown is my favorite time (captured in the photo at the top of this post) but I’m fond of sunrise, too, when I seem to have the beach to myself.

Bert, however, prefers dragging his chair to the edge, daring the waves to overtake him feet first. Sometimes his whole lower torso and chair are overcome by salty sea water. “No matter,” he says as he continues to ponder life coated in sand. In his sanctuary, dealing with the ebb and flow of the Atlantic, is just part of the joy of going to the beach.

We also take great delight in observing others who, on their own terms, make the ocean a sanctuary of sorts. Today, for example, I rose early for sunrise at Pawleys Pier, but was greeted by dark clouds rolling in ahead of the pending rains that Hurricane Isais may (will?) inflict on the South Carolina shores.

Even in the midst of heavy winds, crashing waves, and threatening skies, a lone surfer contemplated a run for it.

He stood still for a while, then found a spot to the left of the pier that looked suitable. He stretched his arms, marched a bit in place, and then entered the waters with resolve. He had found his sanctuary once again — and a comfort in (not from) the storm.

No matter how we take refuge, find sanctuary, or thank God for providing the places we need, we do it on our own terms, in our own time.

Do not look for a sanctuary in anyone except yourself.

Gautama Buddha

Thanks to Xenia for this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #108: Sanctuary. For more entries, please go to Tranature for beautiful photography, prose and poetry.

May you each find your own sanctuary,

Rusha & Bert