The Art Of Building Sandcastles | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

The Art Of Building Sandcastles

A trip to the beach would not be complete without the building of at least one sandcastle.

14
The Art Of Building Sandcastles
Megan Kane

A trip to the beach would not be complete without the building of at least one sandcastle. It's practically a tradition to feel the gritty crunch of sand beneath my feet while shaping a pile of the stuff into a masterpiece. Admittedly, my creations were few and far between during a recent week at the beach. Between the allure of the cool green water and the new mystery book calling my name from the chair, building sandcastles took a backseat. Yet I still built one or two sand sculptures with the held. And perhaps even more important than the actual creations themselves are the lessons I've learned from building them--lessons that, as strange as it may seem, can apply to life as well.

1. Have a Firm Foundation

Before building up a sandy stronghold, you have to have a good base. This usually involves smoothing out a patch of sand upon which to sculpt on. The patch of sand has to be chosen with care--it can't be too far forward, or the waves will get it before you've constructed the first tower. It has to be somewhere people won't step on it. And it has to be in a place where the sand is firm, not riddled with crab hidey-holes or pockmarked with shells. The sandcastle is dependent on its foundation--just like in life, you should have a foundation of your own. Whenever you go on to the next great adventure, it's important to know that someone has got your back. Your foundation--your family, your friends, your faith, etc.--will support you through good times and bad. And even if you get "washed away", your foundation will be there to help you rebuild.

2. Use Sturdy Materials

A true sandcastle connoisseur knows that there are many kinds of sand. For example, there's a difference between the slippery white stuff that slides through your fingers and the grainy, damp mud that is much more malleable. Both kinds are needed in order to make a successful sandcastle. You can't fill your castle mold with the completely sticky stuff, because you won't be able to get it out. But the powdery white sand sort of just...sits there. It never lends itself to a mold, and it practically disintegrates whenever you try to force it into a shape. In life, be sure you're building yourself up with sturdy materials. Make sure you surround yourself with the things--and the people--you think will build you up, not send you tumbling down. It's okay to use a wide variety of sand (and resources) as long as they're all working together to help attain the final product.

3. Don't Be Afraid to Break the Mold

The sandcastle molds we have certainly make much more elaborate shapes than I could ever make on my own. There are towering spires, castle towers and even some fun sea creature shapes. And while there's definitely a time and a place for the molds, there's not that much you can do with them to make them original. If you put sand into a starfish mold, it will always come out as a starfish. It is what you do outside of the mold that truly makes the castle "yours." So don't be afraid to look beyond the mold--and your comfort zone. Try a little freehand sculpting. Or use the mold as a base, and then add your own touches from there.

4. Learn How to Let Go

Even the most beautiful castle will eventually be dashed to pieces by the waves (or the beach patrol). And sometimes that's how life will seem, too--you do so much hard work, and it seems like absolutely nothing comes out of it. But in the end, remember this: you're not building a sandcastle so that it lasts. You're building it for the fun, the memories, the camaraderie with friends and family...whatever reason you may have to take a shovel to the sand. In life, nothing lasts forever. No matter how hard you work, there are some times that your hopes and dreams will be cruelly dashed to bits by the "waves." When this happens, you've got to learn how to let go. Appreciate how hard you worked, and what you learned from failure. Think back on all of the positive memories you had. And then go back to the foundation. After all, there are still a few weeks left of summer, and a countless number of sandcastles to build.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
an image of taylor swift standing center stage surrounded by her backup dancers in elegant peacock esque outfits with a backdrop of clouds and a box rising above the stage the image captures the vibrant aesthetics and energy of her performance during the lover era of her eras tour
StableDiffusion

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

83197
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

10016
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments