Some Days Last Longer Than Others
Ever had a day that seemed rockier than others?
Ever feel like everything you touched turned to stone?
Ever figured that no one would notice if you disappeared?
Ever been felt so weird that you didn’t want them to see you anyway.
I have too.
I looked for a photo to explain this feeling and found this picture of rocks.
I remembered I made a rock walk a few years ago leading up to garden behind my house. I wanted a walk that was pleasing and natural. It hunted rocks for weeks and days. Then I arranged them in the mud path for weeks, days, and hours. The last spaced needed an individual rock of weird shape and color. It took me even more weeks, days, and hours to find one that fit. When I did, whoa, it was something to see and to celebrate.
And to this day, if I ever go back to that house, it’s that rock that I’ll look for. That’s the rock that made that little four-foot path into rock art.
So now when I look out over the Internet and everyone seems shinier and more colorful than I am, I pick up a rock that a dear friend gave me. I hold it in my open hand, and I think that the universe is like a rock path, weird rocks would be missed if they disappeared.
Ever had a rocky day? It helps to hold a rock in your hand.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!
This was such a beautiful way to say so many things. Thank you.
Yes, there are numerous days that have been rocky. I often wonder what I’m doing this all for and does it even matter that I’m doing all that I can, which in the end feels like nothing at all. Maybe I should go find a rock and remember your words here.
Hi Mia,
We all have those rocky, “I can’t keep up. Why bother?” sort of days. Yeah in the end they can feel like nothing at all, but they’re not. When you look back you see this massive work you’ve made … some are words you written … some are friendships that will last.
Are you reading my mind? I was feeling like my blog kinda sucked lately. But I’m getting over and on with it. It ebbs and flows.
Thanks for sharing, Liz. I hope your rocky days provide a solid foundation for all your good ones!
Look at black and white photography. If it was just white, we’d call it over-exposed! 🙂
We have some beautiful shingle beaches in Scotland. I found a purple shore line earlier this year. The overall effect is astonishing – but even more is the feeling when you get when you bend down, look at the stones, notice that every single one is a different shape and a different colour. If they were all the same, it wouldn’t work at all.
I’m glad that small rock in your hand made the difference to you yesterday.
Much love
Joanna
Hi Jannie!
Yeah, I think a lot of us have that feeling around this time of year! Maybe that’s why the web seems to slow down so. 🙂
The ebb and flow is a great way to see it.
Hi Todd,
Overexposed! Can’t have that! 🙂
Hi Joanna,
I’ve seen a purple shore once — in Australia. Yes astonishing is the word that I’d choose as well.
Every seemed to be glowing with a secret of it’s own. My rock yesterday sort of seemed that way, but the secret was one I knew. It had to do with friendship.
Thank you for this image you brought.
I love hearing about looking for the odd shaped rock to complete the path. EXACTLY what I needed to hear today!
I love hearing about looking for the odd shaped rock to complete the path. EXACTLY what I needed to hear today!
Liz,
Thanks for sharing this with us – but – the next time things feel rocky, don’t forget that you have rock-solid friends…
I hold rocks, too. They seem to gather in my house. I have some pebbles from Brighton beach, and smooth granite from Fontainbleu in France.
Each of them reminds me of a trip, a hike or a climb. Or a special friend.
I like rocks, and rocky places. Rocks are the the things that persist as landscapes change. They are changed and eroded too, but they endure.
Thanks for this lovely imagery today!
This picture is very poignant, but you have to look closely to see it.
See the piece of blue tumbled glass in there? Looks like a jewel. You can always find one jewel in an otherwise day of rocks.
At least I think so!
A song lyric to remember on those days…from John Mellencamp — “Life is short even in its longest days.”
Hey Kathy,
I’m always looking for exactly the right one and the right part of everyone. We’re all right in our own way. 🙂
Glad it was useful. It helped me to write it. 🙂
Vincent,
You’re a rock-solid friend if I ever met one. 🙂
Hi Kazari,
Rocks are great to hold onto. They have shape, substance, and unique color. Like you I choose an occasional rock to carry a memory. Rocks are sort of like stars to me that way.
Hi Kris,
I see the blue jewel. I see lots of rocks there I could fall in love with … 🙂
Dick,
Love that John Mellancamp song. Thank you for reminding me of it. 🙂