Rock on!

There are more and more signs of summer each day and this always excites me. My mom always allowed us to unleash our creativity, especially during the summer. This meant scavenging around the neighborhood and in nature to find the perfect rock to paint. Then we would paint the rocks by decorating them with fun visual icons that brought us happiness or vital messages that lend us inspiration. My favorite being "Rock On." The best part of the process was finding the right rock to paint. Rocks bring me a high level of joy and I think it is because each one is so unique and they all tell their own story. I am, to this day, the person that goes into a gas station or gift shop and if they have the polished rocks available for sale - I instantly plunge my hand into the depths of the display to look at each one.

When you think about using the word "rock" in sayings from "Rock & Roll," to "hard as a rock" or even "Between a rock and a hard place." All of them imply a level of toughness because of rock's hardness characteristic. This only scratches the surface though. There are 6 characteristics of rocks and minerals; hardness, luster, color, crystal structure, streak and cleavage and fracture. The most fascinating one to me is "cleavage and fracture" because this means that rocks can break. While they have a hardness, they too have a limit.

We all exhibit a hardness at times. Whether it be when we are faced with the unknown, challenges, or simple life happenings. Rather than placing that characteristic as what defines us during these chapters, remember rocks break too. It is okay to display our vulnerabilities. Take a step back to learn about these breaks and fractures, to make sense of them. This can allow us to put our energy in places that matter, so we don't lose our luster.

Rock on!