Rock Stars
Joyous Voices of Stones
Introduction
Rock-loving. This third issue of the “R-series” is about rocks because I am a rock-lover. And, like many people, I once dreamed of being a Rock Star, someone with a famous voice, part of a popular band. Thank you for joining me in this issue of The Adventure of Reflection as I ponder rocks as “stars” and the messages their voices bring.
Note about the photo: These are rocks from “Mystery Acres,” our private campground in Missouri; they are called Weaubleau eggs, formed during an ancient meteorite strike. They are in a variety of rounded shapes and sizes, from ping pong size to larger than bowling balls. A few have these strange holes in them or contain crystals, like geodes. No two are the same.
A Minute of Motivation
To Belittle is to Be Little
Only people who themselves feel inferior will try to make others feel inferior. Somehow, lowering the status of someone else makes them feel higher.
But to push others down in order to pull yourself up is only going to damage you in the long run. Instead of teasing, criticizing, or finding fault in others, why not support, praise, and look for the good in others? We are all imperfect in how we act and what we say. Not one of us is good enough to feel superior to others.
Instead of finding fault in others, try looking for the good. Gold miners don’t look for dirt; they look for gold. They will have to remove a lot of dirt in order to find the gold, as we may have to overlook numerous flaws in others to find something good. But the rewards for you and others are worth the extra effort.
Don’t look for dirt about others, look for gold.
Note. Originally published in 1992; Re-published here because of the focus on digging for treasure in others, like digging for a precious rock in the dirt.
Enjoy Life More
Find Joy in Rocks
I love rocks. As a child I remember gathering rocks from the creek to create a “museum” of ones resembling common objects. As an adult I still love to find rocks and imagine what objects have similar shapes. Some of these rocks are the shapes of states; for example, I have found California, Florida, and Oklahoma.
When walking in a dry creek bed I listen for the musical chink of chert under my feet. Stooping down to locate the source of the sound I have found dozens of prehistoric stone tools; chert was used by ancient peoples to create scrapers, weapons, and hole punches.
I also have a sand collection. Sand is just tiny rocks; the color and composition of sand is unique to its location. I have various shades of brown sand and also black, white, and red sand. Someday I will have green sand, which is found in very few places.
No two rocks are the same, even down to the tiniest grains of sand. This is infinity on display. To ponder a rock is to contemplate the infinite. Doing so brings me profound joy.
To enjoy life more, I encourage you to find joy in rocks. They are abundantly present everywhere. Slow down and notice them, and find infinity.
Faith Corner
Jesus said, “If My people are silenced, the stones will rise up and shout.” (See Luke 19:40)
When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem during the Passover festival a crowd of His followers joyfully praised Him in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen Him perform. They said:
“Blessed is the One coming in the name of the Lord, the King! Peace in Heaven and glory in the highest places!”
Some leaders in the crowd, annoyed by the commotion, told Jesus to chastise His people. Jesus said the stones would cry out if His disciples were silenced. I’ve long been intrigued by this assertion, trying to imagine what sort of reaction the rocks would offer to the silencing of the believers.
The Greek word Jesus used is a word that means to rise up or stand against. I wondered if the stones would take over the songs of praise from the silenced believers. Would the rocks sing?
In researching the notion of rocks singing I discovered, thanks to the Internet, the existence of sonorous rocks. These rocks, when struck, make musical sounds. Also, I learned that Einstein’s 1916 proposition of gravitational waves, or ripples in space-time, has just been confirmed by astronomers. These waves create a low-frequency hum throughout the universe.
Wait, what? The universe is humming?
Yep. Even if the vocal cords of people are silent, the universe is humming. All of those massive rocks in the shape of planets and such are creating music as they move through space. I’d like to think theirs is a song of praise to their creator.
Dear Lord, how amazing is the universe You created! From the tiniest grains of sand, to the massive planets and innumerable stars, I stand in awe of it all. Help my voice not be silent in offering praise to You, but, in those moments when I am unable to find my praise voice, help me to hear the music of Your incredible creation. Amen.
Poetry Pause
Rock Stars
Stars above my head
Too abundant to count,
Each unique,
Extending endlessly.
Rocks beneath my feet,
Too abundant to count,
Each unique,
Emerging endlessly.
Infinity above;
Infinity below.
Gazing upward I cannot grasp
The Infinite.
Stooping downward I grasp a rock;
I hold the Infinite.
No ordinary rocks:
All are Rock Stars to me.
By Cindy MacGregor, August 25, 2023
Note. I am endlessly fascinated by rocks, which hold endless variety, demonstrating the infinite mind of their creator.
Old Mom to Young Mom
Rock Appreciation Lessons
My grandsons love rocks, which brings me tremendous joy. During my final visit to my daughter in her Florida home, my grandson and I looked for treasure in the rocks around the fire pit in the backyard. We found rocks we liked because of their color or shape. I saved a few in a small plastic Ziploc so I could have a souvenir of our treasure hunting.
My other two grandsons spent a week with my husband and I this summer. They insisted on going camping at our place in the woods, despite oppressive heat and humidity. Grabbing trowels within minutes of their arrival, they joyfully dug for rocks. To them no rocks are “just rocks.” Every rock might contain a fossil or a mysterious hole to examine more closely.
As an old mom to young parents, I wonder if you are enjoying rock appreciation lessons from the children in your world. Or have you lost the childlike wonder of searching for special rocks? Honestly, I don’t remember rock appreciation lessons with my own children; perhaps I was too distracted by the duties of parenting. Learning rock appreciation from a child is one of life’s greatest joys. Rocks, and the children who love them, are incredible teachers.
Dear Dr. Mac
Dear Readers:
You can find all my previous posts at ARCHIVE. I have an organized compilation of the first 64 issues at Reflective Adventures Volume One
Please share your thoughts with me by leaving a comment, using the box below, or emailing me at: drcjmacgregor@outlook.com. I love to hear from you!