"Try to be like the turtle, at ease in your own shell."
-Bill Copeland
The sea turtle keeps life simple. These pleasant creatures live at peace. They swim around the world to spread their message of chill and relax. Humans’ fascination with sea turtles spans many years. It's almost like we're jealous of what they have. A shell, some flippers, just cruising through the waves of the great blue sea.
Today we are going to share some of the turtle's message. Since they don't write articles, we will write one for them. Will we be perfectly true to the sea turtle and all she wishes to share? Probably not. But we will try. Turtles of all kinds, but especially those in the sea, are inspiring.
We are going to let some of this hard-shelled determination spill over into our own lives. Turtles mean many things to many different people. In some areas of the world they represent peace, other good luck. Below are a few of the most power things sea turtles symbolize.
Sea Turtle Symbolize Perseverance
The day of their birth is not like most children. Mother is nowhere to be found. She's probably several hundred miles away. It's every turtle for themselves in a mad dash for the ocean.
Only about 1 in 1000 sea turtles will live to be mature adults. But they keep trying. Most hatchlings would be lost without their mothers around to guide them. Birds, bears, and bulldogs all need their mothers for at least a few weeks before they can take the world on their own. Some need considerably longer.
But not the young sea turtle. She looks to the left and looks the right, and says "let's do this." Then she makes her mad dash to the ocean. No whining or complaining. No wishing things were different. Just doing what needs to be done to survive.
It’s not easy – many little hatchlings will be gobbled up by birds as they race for the water. However, they throw fear to the wind, and chase their dreams despite the looming danger. Get to the water!
The mother also perseveres. Sometimes she travels thousands of miles back to the shore where she was born to lay her eggs. Slowly and methodically she trudges onto the beach. She lays her eggs with care. Digging a nest in the sand. Covering the nest to protect her young from predators. She does the best she can to give the little ones a good start.
Sea Turtles Symbolize Wisdom
The sea turtle isn't the fastest animal in the ocean, nor is it the strongest. But, it might be the wisest. There is good reason for this. If they are fortunate enough to survive their youth, sea turtles can live for fifty years or more.
When you're around that long, you learn a few things. A sea turtle knows how to exercise patience, and how to calculate their next move. The sea turtle teaches us that slow and steady really does win the race.
They also navigate the vastness of the ocean with a stunning intuition. If you’re ever lost at sea, pull over at the nearest tuna station and ask a sea turtle where to go. It might take them a few minutes to get the words out, but they’ll set you straight again.
Sea Turtles Represent Self Reliance and Contentment
The sea turtle carries her home on her back. She doesn't need anyone to look out for her, and she travels where needed - sometimes up to ten-thousand miles a year. Over a lifetime, that could be up to five hundred thousand miles traveled. They know how to get around.
And remember the baby turtles. They set out on their own. Just their soft shell and some small intuition they should avoid the sharks. That's all they have. As they dodge birds and raccoons, they make their way towards the great blue ocean.
Many species of sea turtle are endangered. They fight not only natural predators, but now boat propellers, fisherman nets, and humans who hunt them and their eggs for food. Yet still they fight on.
The sea turtle reminds us that life is a marathon, not a sprint. That anything could happen at any moment, so enjoy the ride, and be thankful for what you have.
Sea Turtles Represent Long Life
The will to keep going and push through, and then to be rewarded with many years of peace. These gentle giants have been around for many, many years. And if they have their way, they will be here for many more.
Some of the oldest sea turtles live to be in their late sixties. And of course, their cousin the tortoise, who lives even longer, knows a thing or two about eating healthy.
Dedication to Helping Sea Turtles and Preserving Their Habitat
Charming Shark is dedicated to the protection of sea turtles. We don’t just want them to stick around, we want them to flourish. We want sea turtles to be around for generations to come so that everyone can be impacted by their peace, endurance, and self reliance.
With every purchase you make from Charming Shark, a portion of the of the purchase is donated to the Loggerhead Marine Life Center. This organization is passionate about the life and health of sea turtles. They treat loggerheads, leatherbacks, and green sea turtles. Here’s a link to their site where you can learn more about how they help protect this vulnerable creature of the sea, Loggerhead Marine Life Center.
Check out some of our bracelets, necklaces, and anklets. With every purchase you can know you’re making a difference in the lives of sea turtles.
We even have several sea turtle themed accessories. Perhaps consider buying one and giving it to a friend who needs encouragement. Keep going, don’t give up. The sea turtles doesn’t quit, and neither should you.
See our other articles on the importance of time in the water and ways to keep busy while stuck inside.
Written By: Gideon Zielinski
