I’ve lived on Galveston Island for 23 years, and the beach has always been a significant part of my life. Over the years, I’ve written about the serendipitous treasures we find along the shore, but I’ve never truly explored what draws me back time and time again - the connection with the beach spirits. 

 If you’re a beachcomber, you’ve likely found yourself saying, “The beach gods were good to me today,” or “Karma was with me,” after stumbling upon a glass stopper or a long-sought collectible. There’s something exhilarating about feeling in tune with the beach’s energy, as if the waves, the wind, and the tide are working in your favor. 

 Kismet refers to fate and destiny - the idea that finding an arrowhead or an antique marble was simply meant to be. Karma, on the other hand, is the belief that positive thoughts and good deeds bring favorable energy in return, a notion often embraced by those who feel a deeper connection to the world around them. 

 For beachcombers, good karma seems to invite rewarding finds, as if the beach spirits acknowledge acts of kindness toward the shore. Whether it’s removing plastic debris washed in by the last high tide, helping someone free their vehicle from the soft sand, or smoothing out a hole left behind by a sandcastle builder, these gestures may just align the universe in your favor - offering you that perfect discovery on your next walk along the shore. 

 Have you ever noticed that the beachcombers who lend a helping hand or care for the shore often seem to find the best treasures? I don’t believe it’s just luck - I believe in the karma built through small acts of kindness. 

 Whether it’s clearing debris, assisting a fellow beachcomber, or simply respecting the natural beauty around you, the beach has a way of showing its gratitude, gifting those who care for the beach with unexpected, meaningful finds. 

 

 I beachcomb several times a week, but not every outing leads to a great find. On those days, I see it as my turn to give back. Sometimes, I head to the beach with no intention of searching - just picking up trash, especially after summer holidays, when the beach is at its messiest. 

 It’s why I’ve stumbled upon things like a new flashlight, pliers, and a pocketknife - left behind right next to the Fourth of July fireworks debris I cleaned up. Perhaps that’s karmic kismet at play, or maybe just the flip side of karma - what some call bad mojo. 

 The idea that someone unknowingly left both their trash and their treasures behind is a fitting example of good and bad karma working in tandem. 

 One of my most memorable encounters with the beach spirits involves Cathie’s Bean (Canavalia nitida), a rare red sea bean. These fascinating seeds originate from tropical vines, drifting across vast ocean currents before washing ashore. 

 Cathie’s Bean, native to the Indies, is named after Cathie Katz - a passionate beachcomber, artist, and coastal enthusiast from Cocoa Beach, Florida. Katz’s deep love for sea beans led her to help establish the International Sea Bean Symposium, celebrating the mysterious journeys of these ocean-traveling seeds and the joy they bring to those who find them. 

 Sadly, I never had the chance to meet her before she passed. But just a week before discovering her namesake sea bean, I had been preparing a PowerPoint presentation on beachcombing for the 2024 International Sea Bean Symposium. One of my slides featured photos of things I had never found - until that day. 

 On a routine beach walk with my dog along the west end of Galveston Island, a small flash of red caught my eye. At first, I assumed it was just another plastic bottle cap. 

 But as I got closer, I noticed the unmistakable black stripe of the hilum, curving three-quarters around the bean. My heart raced. I dropped my dog’s leash and lunged for it before the tide could steal it away. 

 

 Holding Cathie’s Bean in my hand, I turned it over again and again, taking in every detail. It was, without a doubt, the rarest sea bean I had ever found. I clenched it in my fist, unable to tuck it into my pocket - I needed to feel its energy, to truly absorb the significance of the discovery. 

 It felt like divine kismet - a gift meant just for me. In that moment, I couldn’t help but believe Cathie herself had sent it my way, a gesture of encouragement and connection. After all, I had been preparing a presentation for the upcoming Sea Bean Symposium, the very event she helped establish, and the bean that now rested in my hand bore her name. 

 That discovery allowed me to revise my presentation, moving the red bean from my “never have found” list to my “found” items, turning it into a story worth sharing. 

 The exhilaration of that moment has stayed with me ever since, serving as a powerful reminder of why I return to the shore time and time again - to seek, to connect, and to embrace the magic of beachcombing. 

 If your beachcombing journeys aren’t yielding the treasures you seek, embrace the power of positive thinking and set your intention with the beach spirits. Carry that energy with you as you walk, keeping an open heart and mind. 

 Pause to take in the sunrise, the rhythmic sounds of the waves, the calls of seabirds overhead, and the unmistakable scent of salty air. If you have the chance to clear away debris, seize it - small acts of care keep the spirits happy and the shores pristine. 

 More often than not, good finds appear alongside discarded remnants, as if the spirits are calling for a helping hand to restore balance. They want a clean beach just as much as we do. 

 Enjoy the gifts of kismet and karma on your next beach adventure!