5 Smooth Stones
I recently found a rock. I have never been into rocks. I know that people collect them, polish them, throw them, and even a few believe they have extraordinary power. But to me, a rock has always been a rock. That's why I was so surprised when I discovered their value as a symbol. There was nothing magical about the rock I happened on to, but there was something different about it. And that is where this little story begins.
A few months back, I was doing my walk along River Road. River Road has become one of my favorite places for a morning stroll because of its proximity to the water and a beautiful sunrise. The road runs alongside the St Johns river to the east. On the west side of the street, there are beautiful homesteads sounded with Live Oaks that weep with Spanish moss. It's Old Florida at its best. If you are lucky enough to be walking between 6:30 am and 7:30 am, you just might catch a spectacular sunrise. Some of my most prized images have been captured along these banks, watching the sunrise reflect its beams of light off of broken docks that Hurricane Irma damaged in 2017. I have yet to be disappointed during this walk.
A few months ago, I was finishing up my walk and spotted a beautifully painted stone lying at the foot of a tree that lined the sidewalk. The small stone had been hand painted with a colorful owl on the surface. I reached down and picked it up for a closer examination. I loved this rock! It meant something to me, maybe because of my love for Owls or maybe because someone had taken the time to paint a rock and place it on the ground. My first thought was to take it. Then I had the "should I or shouldn't I" debate that we all have when trying to decide if something is right or wrong. I chose the leave the rock for others to enjoy when an elderly lady approached and asked If I liked the rock. "I do," I replied. "Do you know who painted it ?" I ask. "I did," she replied. I proceeded to tell her much I liked the rock and asked If I could keep it. "Of course," she replied, "That's why it's here, for people to find." I took the stone and laid it in the console of my truck, where it was admired for weeks on end.
Somewhere along the way, it occurred to me that this rock needed a purpose. So I decided to make it my "Gratitude Rock." I have never had a gratitude rock, and I'm not sure if it's a thing or not. But, basically, the stone is to serve as a reminder for me to be thankful for the things in my life. Thus, when I pick it up, I consider a few things I am grateful for. In the beginning, this process was a bit mundane. I would pick up the stone and be thankful for: my health, my kids, the dog...well, you get it, the same stuff that we say when we are trying to be grateful.
Then on a trip from Orlando to Jacksonville, I made the discission to take the newly completed express lane on I-4. That was a great decision on my part because all of the traffic in the other lanes had come to a standstill, and I was breezing by at 80MPH. Life is Good! I glanced at the console, and my eyes were drawn to the unassuming stone. I grasped it in my hand and proceeded to give gratitude to the men and women who built the express lane (people who many of us had cursed just a few years earlier), to the town of Orlando who decided to have it built, and on and on the gratitude went. That day I discovered that Gratitude was not about just the big things; it’s about the little things. It's the birds I hear when I walk, the soft breeze that caresses my face on a hot day, or a child's laughter in the distance. Oh, and don't forget the puppies - I am always thankful for puppies! These are the things that we often walk by, completely unaware of their existence. I decided that day to look for the little things and give thanks when I see them. It was life-changing.
You would think the story would end here, and I agree that this would be a great place to stop, but I must press on....
Once arriving in Jacksonville, I encountered more traffic; 295 has a way of getting congested up before you hit the Buckman Bridge. As I passed car after car ( I was once again in the express lane) a van caught my eye. On the side of the Van, a sign read 5 Smooth Stones. If that term sounds familiar, it should. It is a biblical reference to the story of David and Goliath (1st Samuel 17).
David picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd's bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd's staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.
If you will recall, Goliath (A Philistine who was about 9 feet tall) had been taunting the Israelites, and everyone feared him. No soldier dared to face Goliath. Therefore, a young shepherd named David chose to take matters into his own hands. I won't go into the whole story: but here is how it ends.
As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd's bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.
( It's a great story; if you don't have a Bible, Google it.)
Armed with the concept and a childhood memory of 5 smooth stones, I became aware that any obstacle can be overcome if you have the right rocks in your bag (a mindset metaphor). Therefore, I went home and created my own bag of rocks. In it, I placed five smooth stones. On each one is written a word that is needed to overcome the giants in my life. They are Faith, Strength, Gratitude, Calm, and Courage.
Faith to walk forward when there is no light
Strength, to press on, and never quit
Gratitude to experience everyday miracles you are given
Calm to remain in control and see the truth
Courage to accept the unacceptable
When I face challenges in life, I look to the rocks and hold on to the trait I need at that time. They're not magical and possess no power, but they are a symbolic reminder that what we need is within grasp.
I hope that you will find your own rocks to conquer the giants in your life, or maybe if you're lucky, someone will give you their bag because they no longer need them. Either way, you win because it only takes one stone to defeat a giant!
Special Thanks to Chrystal Wickline, who took the time and love to create my 5 Smooth Stones.
