I found some lovely little stones on the internet a few years ago. I was intrigued by them and read them, turned them over in my mind, reveled in the idea of them, stuck them in a pocket of my mind somewhere and forgot about them until I noticed a badge on Judy's lovely blog, Life...Minute By Minute.
The River of Stones is a blogging project started by Kaspa & Fiona over on Writing Our Way Home. Take some time to check out their lovely blog. It's as relaxing as a facial and a massage - with smooth river rocks. This river that they started is an exercise in mindfulness. The idea is to really take notice of something every day and write about it. Not an epic poem, or a long winded something or other, just a small stone. Distill the essence of something every day into a few powerful words. This is so far up my alley it's on my back doorstep. So, in addition to my daily posts where I will be doing my usual nonsense, I have added a page on the right there, right near me and my house, where I will be adding my stones daily.
My sister undertook the 365 Photos project for 2011 and it was a tough challenge, but she's done it and the results have been amazing. Not only does she have 365 gorgeous pictures from each day of the last year and a record of one year of her life, it also pushed her to pursue her photography to heights she never would have done otherwise. The finished album is also a beautiful distillation of the things she saw to be most important in her life every day for a year. The whole project turned out to be so much more than the sum of its parts. In a way, I'm hoping these stones will add up to something surprising. A mosaic of a year in the life. We shall see...
If you are so inclined, check in from time to time and see how these stones are piling up. I think this is such an incredibly beautiful project and my mind is already running in 17 different directions with it. One of the directions has been to promptly get this song stuck in my head. There needn't be much comment on that.
I am too tired to adequately describe how positively giddy I am to be participating in something that, a few years ago, I admired from afar. I looked on wistfully, thinking: wow, what an amazing community of thoughtful, creative people. Now somehow I've sneaked in the back door (probably because I brought Bob Dylan along) and it makes my head spin with delight. I owe it to you. All of you who click by and egg me on. All of you who think and write and do so well in your own corners of the webs and inspire me daily. I am really beginning to love this blogging thing.
The River of Stones is a blogging project started by Kaspa & Fiona over on Writing Our Way Home. Take some time to check out their lovely blog. It's as relaxing as a facial and a massage - with smooth river rocks. This river that they started is an exercise in mindfulness. The idea is to really take notice of something every day and write about it. Not an epic poem, or a long winded something or other, just a small stone. Distill the essence of something every day into a few powerful words. This is so far up my alley it's on my back doorstep. So, in addition to my daily posts where I will be doing my usual nonsense, I have added a page on the right there, right near me and my house, where I will be adding my stones daily.
My sister undertook the 365 Photos project for 2011 and it was a tough challenge, but she's done it and the results have been amazing. Not only does she have 365 gorgeous pictures from each day of the last year and a record of one year of her life, it also pushed her to pursue her photography to heights she never would have done otherwise. The finished album is also a beautiful distillation of the things she saw to be most important in her life every day for a year. The whole project turned out to be so much more than the sum of its parts. In a way, I'm hoping these stones will add up to something surprising. A mosaic of a year in the life. We shall see...
If you are so inclined, check in from time to time and see how these stones are piling up. I think this is such an incredibly beautiful project and my mind is already running in 17 different directions with it. One of the directions has been to promptly get this song stuck in my head. There needn't be much comment on that.
I am too tired to adequately describe how positively giddy I am to be participating in something that, a few years ago, I admired from afar. I looked on wistfully, thinking: wow, what an amazing community of thoughtful, creative people. Now somehow I've sneaked in the back door (probably because I brought Bob Dylan along) and it makes my head spin with delight. I owe it to you. All of you who click by and egg me on. All of you who think and write and do so well in your own corners of the webs and inspire me daily. I am really beginning to love this blogging thing.
What an awesome idea! Another one I want to steal all for my own (uh...I mean flatter you by taking up as a project myself). Enjoy:)
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Beautiful Tree! How inspiring. I need something to help me boil things down a bit, try to be less long-winded at least a little bit every day. Strike the essence. And I love the idea of creating a mosaic, as you said, something greater than the sum of its parts. If I can figure out the mechanics here I'll be participating. Thanks a bunch for sharing!! Happy Wednesday to you! xo
ReplyDeleteI saw the button on Judy's blog and checked it out, too. I'm a bit embarrassed to say I decided not to do it because it felt a bit overwhelming. But, hearing you describe it, maybe I was overthinking it. (I do that too much.) I look forward to reading your stones.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the mention :) I haven't been posting my River of Stones yet. I'm a little like Jewels - a bit overwhelmed. But I really like how I have to stretch my brain, although it feels like I haven't stretched it in years and I break out in a sweat very quickly! haha
ReplyDeleteI'm with Judy. I love the idea, and have been writing them in my head as I work on other things. Somehow, it is not important to post them at this minute. Taking time for the little things in life is important, and recording impressions adds spice to the venture. Thanks for the update.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Jewels. When I read about it over on Judy's blog I thought it sounded like an amazing idea, but one that I didn't want to commit to and not have the time and mental energy to do justice to. I look forward to seeing what you come up with--maybe I will jump in mid-stream. :)
ReplyDeleteYesterday I was stalk- err I mean, browsing, your blog and going through the "Where do you want to go" posts, and I found the stones one. I thought it was such a great idea! I'm doing the 365 day project (shhh don't tell anyone or else it'll be official and I might fail), so I won't be taking this one on. But I'll love to catch up on everyone else's!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea. I want to stay on the banks and watch for a while, as in my quest for balance, I'm pulling back a bit on commitments. However, I did receive a snazzy new journal for Xmas, so I can see myself recording thoughts in there.
ReplyDelete@Larissa - you can totally do this. (It's official now, and your work is AWEsome! Keep it up!!)
I think that Judy is doing it "right". Mine are more little grains of sand. I haven't really connected into the whole thing yet. I'm hoping Judy will guide me.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, when I read your blog, I picture myself sitting on a stoop with a cup of hot coffee, listening to a friend speak of all manner of delights.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to have found you.