Bali Beach Beauty
January 2013, I am walking on the beach near Gaia Oasis resort in Bali. I am attending a women's retreat. The freedom of taking a walk outside now and then is too appealing for me. It's my first time in Bali. Overwhelmed by its beauty, the sweet people and the purity, I am puzzled.
Why is there so much rubbish on this beach? Where does it come from? These bits and pieces spoil the purity of Bali. I can't really get it. If you live in a true paradise on earth, why spoil it? But next to rubbish I find old offerings and other pure items like this beautiful shell. When I take a photo of the shell with the holes with my phone, all of a sudden the sea takes it back.
This is a symbol of what Bali is to me. Bali washes away all you don't need. Bali purifies you. Just by being there, you are cleansed. When you walk you earth. The ocean washes away your bad energy. On my last day of this trip I find out why I find remains of 'holy offerings', as locals also pray on the beach and leave offerings. When I took the photos I didn't know this, I was wondering what they were, seeing the same shapes and forms washed upon the shore.
Part of the retreat was a visit to Omunity, where I met founder and inspirator ZanZan for the first time. He turned out to be a very wise and special man, and I made a promise to come back and learn more about him and his village. He told me that recently a program to keep Bali clean started, to get people to clean up their rubbish, not to throw it in nature and leave it be.
The most important men of the village of Sudaji were also encouraging locals to clean up and not leave any plastic rubbish. I love these local programs, as they work far better than programs set up by the government only. Zanzan and his people are doing a great job as I learned later when returning to Bali in 2014.
There were much more pretty things on the beach I took photos of, both artificial as natural items, like rocks and coral. Even when you think something doesn't look pretty, take a closer look. Really, go closer. Try to See the detail. When you can See details, you will See beauty too.
I am not saying the rubbish can stay, please clean the beach, but when you do encounter something like this, do not judge and try to See what's there. The shell in the top photo is pure beauty. I held it and admired it and then... it was washed away. I couldn't see where it went, but just by noticing it, I felt good. It made me happy. When you look at beautiful things, you'll create positive energy.