Rocks I Walk With {Project: Spread the Love}

Some of you may already know that I'm a daily walker.

But did you know that I walk with rocks?

* * * * * * * * * *

I love rocks, and many times I'll find a smooth one at the beginning of my walk and carry it with me during the course of my travel. I like to hold it, rub it, turn it over and over in my hand, and use it as a meditation tool while I walk. When I walk I'll usually find a smooth rock to pick up at the beginning of my travels, then toss it back to the ground with gratitude when I'm close to home again. Last week, I picked up three rocks and brought them home with me.

Since we moved to our new neighborhood I've been faced with a couple of challenges. Challenge #1 is finding my way around and then back home again. One day last week I ended up walking in the wrong direction and missed my mark {home} by a whole mile.  :o\  {Follow the sun, Deb, follow the sun...}

Challenge #2 is that this new neighborhood isn't...well...as pretty as the old one. It's an older neighborhood and has no homeowners association and therefore no regular upkeep of common areas {i.e. sidewalk sweeping, grass pulling along fence backs, etc.}. I suppose that's not really a "challenge," but I must admit it makes me a little bit sad that people don't take more pride in their surroundings.

I'm on my own personal mission to make a little difference in this here older neighborhood, so when I saw this idea I knew I wanted to copy it.

I had so much fun painting the three rocks I had collected, so I went out for more!

Disclosures:

* I am not a painter. These simple designs were painted on with acrylic paint then outlined with a Sharpie marker.

* It's difficult to draw a smooth line on a not-so-smooth rock.

* And, I was supposed to spray these with a coat of polyurethane to protect the design before I released them, but I just couldn't wait to put one out on the sidewalk in hopes of brightening someone's day.

I put this rock out and watched for a while, hoping I'd see someone pick it up.

I missed that action, but it wasn't long before I noticed that the rock had disappeared.

I imagined the person who found it thinking, "Hey! Look what I found!"

Or maybe a child thinking, "I'm gonna' give this to my mom!"

 :o)

Well, the process and the idea of putting these silly little rocks around

our neighborhood makes me happy. Here's hoping that my little painted

rocks will make someone else happy too!

November Attitude of Gratitude:

* I am so grateful for healthy legs and feet that allow me to walk every day and even get lost in the process from time to time.

* I'm so grateful for this sweet older neighborhood we live in - it's been loved a little longer than the last one.

* I'm so grateful for the opportunity to help brighten someone's day.