"The Stone You Now Have In Your Hand..."

I've been reflecting on a recent email from Duncan C., where he commented on how the 'Stone he now found in his hand' was to carry some significant symbolism for him. Thank you Duncan, for prompting these musings for me.

I have before, been provided such wonderful comments regarding these little cobblestones, about while they are just rocks, they often become something elementally more - in what 'Finders' create for themselves in the experience of discovering one...

That 'Finders' simply have a smile on their faces, and to know a little karma has been passed forward, is often enough for me. But 'Finders' are very right, I often ponder too, as each and every one of the stones you may now have in your hand indeed has its own history, its own character, and truly its own story...

I have gathered these for decades, from wild places so far away, within certain elusive locations out there that seem to have very special elements present. They have typically been polished, not by me, but by the millenia, and the storms, winds, and waters that work a certain magic upon them.

In the early years, they were all placed by my hands, and now just as often are passed forward in a summit registry, to another adventurer, or in a distant established campsite, by Partners In Placing (who I write about in a link on this blog). Passing them forward as my Friends do, means these little stones have an added specialness about them, another component of character to their history...

It is not only the unique geologic compositions, nor their wonderful elementally polished feel they have - but also mixed in almost always now, are other things too... Read my post from January 25, 2010 on "Mixing In", to unveil those secrets within the stone now in your hand too...

But most importantly, as can be seen in a certain light, reflected off the coating I paint upon them, you will find something else as well... There, very subtly, you can see a reflection of yourself, the amazing spirit you brought with you, the wonderful adventure attitude you now have, as you have journeyed out among the wild places, and now can create other personal meanings for this little stone that is now yours.....

DSD

My gratitude to our Hiking Lady for the lower image above: http://hikinglady.com/