"Takin' Time Out"

 

Definition:  the hard, solid, nonmetallic mineral matter of which rock is made, especially as a building material.  A small piece of rock found on the ground.   A weight or lack of feeling, expression, or movement.

 

There are so many things come to mind when I think of STONES.  We have gemstones, birthstones, memorial STONES, healing STONES.  If you love Rock N Roll, then there are “The Rolling STONES” or if you think in medical terms gallstones and kidney stones and oh my what pain they can cause.  Then we have Phrases like:

• STONED out of their mind
• Cast in STONE
• STONE Cold Sober
• Have a heart of STONE
• A rolling STONE gathers no moss.
• Leave no STONE unturned
• Sticks and STONES may break my bones but words will never hurt me.
• Kill two birds with one STONE
• He who lives in glass houses shouldn’t throw STONES
• A STONE‘s throw away

 

I have always been attracted by STONES.  I can remember as a child playing for hours at Two Buttes lake arranging small STONES on a flat rock outlining rooms in my pretend house.  Even in my home today, I have stacked STONE in my kitchen and bath.  I have a rock and STONES outlining my flower beds and river rock STONES flowing around the tree. The river rocks seem to add so much texture and definition.  I also like large boulders and if there is a little moss growing on it that makes it even better.

 

I have a small pile of STONES on my desk and another on a table at home.  When both my girls got married we had them as part of the centerpieces, they had inspirational words on them.  We asked the guest to take the ones home with them that had a special meaning.  They were words like: Family, Happy, Serenity, Love, Hope, Faith, Believe, Charity, Trust, Harmony, & Inspire to name a few.  It warms my heart to walk into their home and see them displayed on their coffee table or night stand.   I served as President of an industry Association and during that year my theme had to do with the major changes we were facing as we moved into “Healthcare Reform” so on the small STONES I had four words printed on them so serve as gentle reminders we could endure. There were 4 topics were Embrace Change, Engage Change, Accept Change and Adapt to Change”.  Some of the members gave me a hard time but others have commented throughout the years what a special touch and they still have theirs and appreciated the gentle reminder we will prevail.

 

Did you know fundamentally, the meaning of STONES and rocks deal with solidity, stability and being grounded.  Maybe that is why I am so attracted to them.  I seek to be grounded and more stable.  Rocks are everywhere, and such unassuming things – they’re easy to take for granted. But in truth, STONES are a very big deal. I read in an article, STONES were used for currency in many civilizations. Take the Yapanese, inhabitants of the small island Yap in the Pacific. They used Rai, which are STONES used as currency. These money STONES were carved in doughnut shapes and could weigh several tons.

 

Although primarily on a trade system, the ancient Mayans were also said to use STONE for money. More costly items would require STONE beads made of jade or gold.

 

The meaning of STONES as a currency deals with value, power and even history. Why history? Because currency (whether STONE, or current-day paper money) passes through many hands, and usually sticks around for a long time. Energy is residual, so STONE money will store a bit of history from every person who had it in their possession. The Yapanese illustrate this, by placing a higher value on the Rai according to its history and lineage of ownership.  I find that to be very deep and very interesting.

 

Recently I have been study about energy and I found an article that stated “connecting with STONE-energy, it’s helpful to get the low-down on some of the highlights of their deeper meanings…

 

Highlights of The Meaning of STONES

Time

Cold

Heavy

Subtle

Silent

Memory

Stable

Rooted

Matter

Comfort

Patience

Strength

Constant

Grounding

Immovable

Permanence

Foundational

 

The idea of rocks being historical vessels makes sense to me, and the meaning of STONES is compatible with the passage of time. Consider STONES have been hanging around for eons. There was also the STONE Age.  If we apply the rule of energy (meaning: Energy never expires, but is always present).  Trees and plants can die but STONES usually stay intact for thousands of years to come.

 

The Chinese views STONES as longevity and the Japanese are well known for their Rock gardens.  It is said they are a portal through which we can transport ourselves into a state of Zen.  Zen means “absorption”, which I find fascinating as rocks and STONES are also absorbers. They take in the heat of the sun, they absorb the coolness of the earth.

 

Last year I had the privilege to be in Atlanta, Georgia and I had a friend suggest we go to visit the National Park and STONE Mountain.  I was in awe viewing that huge STONE which continues to grow out of the earth.  It has the largest sculpture in the world, the Confederate Memorial Carving depict three Confederate leaders of the Civil Was, President Jefferson Davis, and Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson and their favorite horse “Blackjack”, “Traveller” and “Little Sorrel”.  The entire carved surface measures 3 acres about the size of two and quarter football fields.  Simply Amazing to me that someone had the vision and then the endurance to make it happen!  If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit it is a must see if you are in the Atlanta area.

When I think of STONES also think about a couple of passages in the Bible.  The first has to do with the Twelve Memorial STONES from the River Jordan.

Joshua 4 – When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, ² “Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, ³ and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve STONES from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests’ feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.’” ⁴ Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. ⁵ And Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a STONE upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, ⁶ that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those STONES mean to you?’ ⁷ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these STONES shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.”

Then there is the passage found in 1 Samuel 17 where David was facing the giant Goliath and in verse 49-50:  “Reaching into his bag and taking out a STONE, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The STONE sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a STONE; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.”   It simply took one STONE to kill that giant, this just goes to show if God is on your side no one can be against you.  I also love the scripture in Psalm 61:2 “When my heart is overwhelmed lead me to the rock that is higher than I”.  God is truly my rock and my foundation.  I know life gets rocky and unsteady at times but I stay focused and centered on him everything works out, he gives me strength, he is solid.

 

Many times while “Takin Time Out”, I also like to meditate and hold a STONE, I have one that is shaped in a heart that was handmade by the Haitian artists after the earthquake a few years back and another with a cross engraved in it.  STONES are like batteries.  Just like a Duracell, STONES are packed with energy and are storage units. They contain the power of Mother Earth within their smooth bodies. Each STONE radiates with a specific memory and energy. Holding a STONE elicits a feeling of being grounded.  Have you ever had a massage and they place warm STONES down your back or you hold in the palm of your hand.  You can do this at home by placing the small river rocks in a crock pot with water and let it warm up…place them in an oblong pan and warm water to soak your feet with Epson salt after a long hard day especially if you walk or are on your feet it simple soaks the stress away and renews your body.  I love how they have STONE tile, my daughter put it as their floor in their shower river rock pebbles…nothing more soothing than water and STONE. It is  tranquil…speaking of that it appears to be time to fix me another cup of hot “Earl Gray” tea and get ready for work.  I hope you enjoyed a little more insight on STONES and maybe you will take time to pick up a few pebbles and STONES on your path today…Until next time my dear friends remember the advice from a STONE :  “Try your hardest, stay grounded, start each day with a clean slate, Keep still, Be well-rounded, live in balance and never take life for granite”…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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