This post is written for the “Save the Ocean” group-writing project by little polaris.
Sometimes we will feel tired and needed a break for a while. To take a break from being who we are, and from everything that we are doing. When I was diagnosed with cancer, I felt very exhausted but not because I was physically weakened from all therapies I was undergoing, but because of my heartaches. Everywhere I looked, I saw worried faces, and I heard cries and chanting prayers. It made me feel worse.
I was not afraid of death; I was never worried about what was going to happen to me. At that moment, I wished that people around me could accept the news optimistically. I wished for someone who would smile at me, I was desperate for some positive energy from people around me. I desired to run away and isolate myself at somewhere quiet and peaceful. I wanted to take a stroll at any beach.
I love the beach. When running on the beach, letting the soft white sands go through in between my toes as I step on it, feeling the sea breeze and listen to the sound of waves washing the shore. That kind of feeling is so light, so comfortable as if the breeze blows away my troubles and the waves wash away my sadness.

However, it’s not easy to find an accessible beach nearby. Most of the beaches near KL are polluted and do not have a pleasant view. The nearest quiet clean beach is 4 hours away which is in Batu Feringghi, Penang. But at that time, my weak body couldn’t take me so far away from my oncologist. Sad, huh? Malaysia is surrounded by the sea and yet the number of unpolluted beaches can be counted by our fingers. When I wanted to take a walk at a beach, I couldn’t find a proper beach to go to.
If we don’t start protecting our beaches today, sooner or later all the beaches will be polluted and there will be nothing left for our children. Where do we take our children during the weekend for a picnic? Where can they go to when they feel like enjoying the nature, taking a break from life?

Starting today, let’s be a responsible citizen, let’s take care of our beaches. Do not liter and leave your trashes behind. Throw your rubbish into trash bins that are provided, NOT into the SEA! Love the sea like you love yourself. Everyone is vain, and so is the nature!
January 2008 is “Save the Ocean” month here at The Giving Hands. Click here for more information on how you too, can save our oceans, and remember to subscribe to The Giving Hands for your daily updates!
walking on the beach can have an very therapeutic effect on me :) helps me to forget my troubles as the sand / water runs through my toes.
Heh, actually i prefer pebble beaches — love the one in Brighton UK. Had countless of “therapeutic” walks there
Little Polaris, the ocean is so huge, so powerful that we are incomparable in size. You said the waves washes away your sadness, that is so touching and I wish we can say that the ocean, the sea has healing powers that we can never understand, no matter how much we tend to do so.
It is really sad that people do not help clean up the shore and are content in throwing their trash just about anywhere.Thank you for this wonderful post. I thought Malaysia has wonderful and clean beaches but sad to say, as it is here in the Philippines, one has to travel from the cities to experience these things. But still, we are thankful that we have these in our countries.