Written in Stone
A few years ago, I had what I thought was a brilliant idea. I told my husband I wanted to start leaving painted rocks along the hiking trails we often wandered. Not just any rocks—beautiful little tokens with messages of hope, encouragement, or maybe just a reminder that magic still exists. A kind of modern-day message in a bottle, but with less ocean and more dirt under your boots.
My vision? That someone, perhaps mid-hike and mid-existential crisis, would stumble upon a tiny stone with a mysterious message. Curious, they'd go to my website (because of course, each stone would come with a clue to lead them there), where the full message would be revealed. Maybe they’d feel seen. Maybe they’d reach out. Maybe the universe would wink.
My husband laughed. “You think you’re going to gain followers with messages on stones?” He thought it was absurd—like I was drafting some kind of bizarre guerrilla marketing plan. And I suppose… in a way, I was. But that just goes to show: I place value on quality, not quantity. I wasn’t chasing clicks. I was hoping for meaningful connection. Real, quiet moments that matter.
Maybe it was a little whimsical. But I’ve always been drawn to the charm of a bygone era. Digital is frustrating to me. Heck, I resist paperless billing like it’s a personal affront, and I still want to hold real photographs in my hands—not swipe through them like I’m skimming a digital menu.
In the end, I never fully followed through—unless you count the few painted stones that now live in my Grandma’s old pie cabinet, patiently waiting for their big adventure.
And yet, I still think about it. About how romantic the idea was. About how lovely it would be to meet strangers at just the right moment with just the right message.
Maybe it’s not too late. Maybe the trail is still waiting.
“To regret deeply is to live afresh.”
This H.D. Thoreau quote reminds me that, for many of us, a single significant event can divide our lives in two: That was then, this is now. It can be a bold step to take, even when it's as simple as deciding to "be" a certain way.
Did this find you at just the right time?
“Explore, Dream, Discover.”
In the words of Mark Twain, "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you DIDN'T do than by the ones that you DID do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
What are you waiting for?
“Earth is forgiveness school.”
This Anne Lamott quote makes me feel less alone. Forgiveness means letting go of the charge, letting go of the anger, the sadness, of all the emotion that goes with it. Forgiveness frees you to begin living in peace. It doesn’t mean you must trust the person again. It simply means you no longer will them to be punished. Forgiveness is not for them. It’s for YOU.
Free yourself. Don’t let the past rob you of one more moment.
“Gratitude: First the thanks, then the miracle.”
Gratitude, daily and intentional, will rewire your brain and eventually your life. Jesus of Nazareth gave Thanks before the miracles (see feeding the 5,000, healing 10 lepers, Lazarus’ return from the dead, etc). First the thanks; then the miracle. In the words of Ann Voskamp, “Why do we struggle to see the wonder? Isn’t it right here?” Have gratitude whenever (now) she explains, and you experience Joy wherever (here). I highly recommend her book, 1000 Gifts.
Journal your gratitude for 30 days. It may be the holy grail for JOY.
