For as long as I can remember, I have loved the ocean. My family vacationed at the beach every summer from the time my siblings and I were old enough to crawl. Swimming in the ocean is as close to Heaven as I ever thought was possible to experience. I always spent several hours away from the crowds on boogie boards as I floated atop the waves. The ocean was always my best form of therapy. It was apparent to me that the saltwater healed minor cuts, abrasions or insect bites, but I also observed that the more time I spent submerged in the sea, the more the negativity drained out of my body. The salt seemed to draw it all out, and all of my worries melted away. Drying off in the sun on the beach was just as healing, as I was able to hear the sound of the waves crash along the shoreline. That sound was hypnotic to me and seemed to facilitate some sort of altered state that ushered in the deepest form of relaxation. There was no feeling quite like it.

Last week, I visited the salt caves for a healing session that included listening to the sound of Tibetan singing bowls. The experience was very similar to lying out on the beach. Salt as deep as sand covered the floors and one had the option of resting in a lounge chair atop the salt or lying directly on it. The negative ions of the cave draw out impurities from one’s body, which prove beneficial to one’s lungs and nervous system. The effect is similar to soaking feet in Epsom salt or swimming in saltwater. As I was breathing slowly and deeply, I could feel the vibrations of the Tibetan singing bowls. The bowls are tuned to various frequencies and literally serve to raise the vibration of one’s body. For many years, I have read the works of Deepak Chopra and Wayne Dyer. Both men have spoken of the different layers of energy, which comprise the human body. We only perceive the physical body to be solid, but the “solidness” we feel is actually a lower frequency vibration since the particles vibrate at a slower rate. The higher the vibration, the lighter and more transparent the body is. Since physicists have proven the existence of the human energy field, energy healers seek to raise one’s vibration in order to restore balance to the system. Vibration literally tunes the body in much the same way that a musician tunes an instrument. The human body is a symphony of vibrating systems. The sound of the singing bowls is just as hypnotic as the sound of the surf, and I felt the bowls resonate with my body. I was especially drawn to the lower frequencies, which is ironic because I play two of the highest instruments in the orchestra – flute and piccolo! I have written in the second chapter of my book about the use of tuning forks to restore the body to balance as well. These various tools entrain the body and thus raise its frequency or vibration. Since music is meaningful vibration, I believe my flute has been my instrument of healing for nearly 40 years. Miracles are created when frequency combines with intent for the best possible outcome. My time at the salt caves reminded me of that.

The day after I visited the salt caves, my husband and I traveled to the shore for the weekend with his family. We attended a sea glass festival, and I purchased a book written by George Toth entitled, Seashell Therapy: Discover the Healing Power of the Sea. I read it from cover to cover in a little over an hour. He speaks of the therapeutic value of seashells since one can listen to them in order to receive guidance. The shells don’t speak, but holding them to our ears allows us to become relaxed and focused enough to hear the voice of God. The shells are meditation tools. Conch shells can actually be blown into as well, and different pitches or vibrations can be created and simple tunes can be played. They are primitive instruments. I am sure some folks can achieve the same type of connection with these shells as I can with my flute. Toth also discusses the aesthetic value of pearls, which are harvested from pearl oysters. They are highly regarded as precious gemstones, and in the hands of an artist, can yield exquisite jewelry. I love wearing my pearl jewelry pieces, which remind me of the beauty of the sea. The beautiful iridescence of pearls is one of the many reminders that there is no greater artist than God. The shells provide one path to lead one back to oneself and the Divine within.

In August, my husband and I were fortunate enough to be able to spend two days at the shore with my family. We were celebrating my parents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary and their new grandchild, for whom they patiently waited 50 years! Since our ocean vacations had been the highlights of our formative years as children, my sister insisted that we all be there to experience AJ’s first visit to Wildwood. That baby has literally breathed new life into our family, especially after losing my grandmother in April of this year. Meeting AJ was love at first sight, and he has grown into the happiest baby I have ever seen. His needs are simple – eat, sleep, play, hug, kiss, laugh and repeat. He is a constant reminder that true happiness is found in the present moment. He grows happier one moment at a time. He loved dipping his toes in the ocean as his mommy had done 42 years ago. He swam in the pool in order to wash the sand from his feet as his aunt and uncle had done decades ago, too. He was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as his daddy carried him around on the boardwalk as well, and it was on this vacation that he tasted his first bite of ice cream. His saltwater healing excursions have only just begun! I’m sure he will grow to love the magic of the sea!

After a two-month hiatus, I got my AJ fix when my husband went on his annual golf weekend excursion to Gettysburg. I visited my nephew, and we celebrated my birthday – the last of my 40’s decade! He was so happy to see me, and the sight of his wide smile and belly laugh made my heart melt. He is a priceless blessing! He loves being surrounded by people – just like his Pop-Pop! This natural-born entertainer loves an audience. Since he was born into a family of musicians, it is no surprise that he loves music and has rhythm. His favorite song is Baby Shark! He dances in his bouncy swing to the melody of that simple children’s song. This song is yet another step in getting hooked on all things ocean, too! It is only a matter of time before he reaps the benefits of seashell therapy and the miracles of saltwater!

I was trying to settle him down after an evening of partying with the family, but he didn’t want to go to sleep for fear of missing something. I remembered that when my sister would listen to the radio while AJ was in utero, he would kick her every time he heard the music of Billy Joel. I asked the Google device to play Billy Joel, and after the third song, he was in dreamland! I was able to get him to sleep three times during that weekend by using the music of Billy Joel. It has worked for my sister all week as well! Perhaps he will be a Piano Man! He just might be able to tune his strings with an oceanic vibration massage. There is nothing quite like feeling the ocean breeze, tasting the saltwater on your lips and basking in the sound of the surf! I wish all of you oceans of abundance, happiness and joy!