Are you the boulder, the pebble or the stream?

Sometimes you are like a boulder in the stream. Resolute. Steadfast. The stream may rush past you, hardly taking notice that you are there, so determined is it to keep on going. There are other times that the stream is in no hurry at all, gently swirling around you, lapping inquisitively at your edges, lingering with a familiar comfort hugging and nudging you. And then, there are times when the stream is nowhere to be seen. It has dried up and won't be around for months or more. No matter what, you, the boulder remain strong, permanent, fixed and patient. You are not moved.

Sometimes you are like a pebble in the stream. You sit at the bottom with other pebbles and when the stream is full, flush and roaring, you may stay put or you may be picked up, rolled along and scuttled into another cozy, safe spot where you stay while the turbulence around you roils on.  Either way, it's okay. In gentler times, you may be sweetly caressed by the stream, rocking back and forth safe and secure right where you are but happily participating in the activity of the day. And, like the fixed, immovable boulder, there will be times when the stream does not come along to roll you or rock you and you wait, knowing when your turn comes, you'll move on. You'll go with the flow. When it flows.  But in the meantime, you're content to be where you are.

Sometimes you are the stream. There are days when you overflow with turbulence, energy, intensity and effort. You are at full throttle, plunging headlong into life, letting nothing stop you or slow you down. Go, go, go. Boulders be damned. Pebbles get out of my way. You have one reason for being and that is to move forward. On other days, you do not have to go, go, go -- rather, you slow down and notice what's going on around you, you interact with your surroundings with interest and intention. You are moving forward but you are aware of what others are doing, whether they are immobile, moving, participating in big or small ways. And sometimes you just don't come. You stay away.

So, this week, think about this: What are you and when? Are you the boulder, the pebble or the stream? When you are one of those things, what or who are the others?  ...because they are there and you are interacting with them. Is life the stream? ...the people around you? Is judgment the boulder? ... or is that you? Is the pebble you? ...or is that your mood? ...your soul?

We are constantly in interaction with the people and places around us as well as being in constant physical, mental and spiritual motion ourselves. Try to recognize who you are and when. And choose what works for you so you can live intentionally, compassionately and with awareness of others around you. Find growth and peace in your day to day.

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06/02/2025