Are we the ocean or are we the coal?
written by: Sumaira A
@SSupernova24
If I had to choose,
Between the gentle ocean or a stiff rock of coal,
I would choose to be the ocean.
It’s perhaps an obvious choice, but would you be interested to hear my reasons why, perhaps they may be less obvious?
A brick of coal is easy to hold in the palm of my hands but it will leave dark marks on whatever it touches. Coal has the power to bring light and warmth for hours and hours as it continues to burn. But as it continues to burn, it continues to consume and if left unguarded or unattended, will cause not just pollution but destruction, death and eventually darkness all around.
The ocean is in continuous ebb and flow. As a fluid, it is extremely difficult to grasp between my palms and fingers. It is lighter to touch and feels cooling and nourishing. No matter even if you were to boil the ocean water to extreme temperatures, it would still retain the power to put out a fire and halt the flames’ destruction in its tracks. When the water droplets bond together and flow fast in unison, they even have the power to crash against hard rocks and other surfaces and break them apart. It reflects the sunlight and brings even more light to its environment. It allows wayfares to journey ontop or even underneath its surface and reach beautiful destinations far and wide. It can quench a man or woman’s thirst, thus helping to keep them alive. It is a home to many sea creatures and plants as well as many sailors and dockers. It is where food and life can grow and provide watering care for the land dwellers far and wide through the power of the clouds and the wonderful water cycle.
If I had to choose between being some who helps and gives life rather than someone who consumes and takes away life, I know which one I would choose. I think you may choose and think like me too.
But in everyday life, do we all nourish this planet or just consume? Do we simply take or do we give back? Do we carry others on our shoulders or burn them to the ground? Are we cool to touch or do we sting? Do we lift others up and promote life or do we pull them down and leave embers that chip away at their inner beings? Do we remove obstacles from their paths or do we become a ring of fire they can never escape from unharmed?
We know which is the life worth living but we must also with absolute honesty ask ourselves – are we the ocean or are we the coal?
- A Tale of Two Cities - August 5, 2024
- Are We The Ocean Or Are We The Coal? - April 26, 2024
