Take time to appreciate the beauty around us

Every time I see the ocean, its beauty still amazes me.

Every time I cross one of the high-rise bridges and can see miles and miles of sea and shore, it takes my breath away. I feel so lucky to live in a place that has so much natural beauty.

Working here makes it even better. Being able to stand on the beach and take pictures of surfers, wildlife or beach visitors and say it’s my job is hard to believe. I feel I am getting the better end of the bargain because it hardly seems like work.

The friends and family who come to visit even remind me of the beautiful place I get to call home.

“I can’t believe you live here!” my friend Julie said. Over and over and over. Every beach we went to, every time we walked along the shore.

Even after sticking our feet in the freezing cold ocean in mid-November, she could not believe it.

I have lived in Brunswick County for about six months now, and its beauty never ceases to amaze me.

Having lived in four cities in the past five years, I consider myself to have a nomadic nature, never knowing how long I will stay in one place or where I’ll end up next.

To tell you the truth, I kind of like it that way and yearn for my next adventure.

But not knowing what the future holds, I try to make the best of every situation. I want to see all I can see and do all I can do so there are no regrets once it’s time to move on. Maybe that’s the reason for my appreciation of the area.

But as much as I appreciate it, I am constantly surprised by the people who don’t.

I have had many conversations with people who have lived in Brunswick County or surrounding areas for many years, and I always hear the same things.

“You’ll get used to it.”

“I don’t go to the beaches that often.”

“I’m way too busy to enjoy them.”

“The visitors see more of the beach than I do, and I’ve lived here all my life.”

It’s shocking, and to me, a little sad.

One conversation sticks out in my mind. An island business owner who can see the ocean from his office told me he has not stepped foot in that ocean during his adult life. He said by the time his workday ends, he just wants to get off the island.

I have met people in the Midwest, in the landlocked states, who have never seen the ocean and would give anything to do so.

It seems like a waste for people who have that wonderful ability to not take advantage of it.

Area teachers have told me some students living in the county have never even seen the ocean. This makes me want to know all their names and addresses, pick them up and drive them to the shore myself.

Seeing the ocean or living by the sea may be something locals take for granted, but take some time and enjoy it.

It’s one of Mother Nature’s finest gifts, and it would be a shame to waste it.

KATHRYN JACEWICZ is a staff writer at the Beacon. Reach her at 754-6890 or kjacewicz@brunswickbeacon.com.