The sun came out this week. I was drawn to the beach by the magnetic force of the golden rays. The warmth of the sun infused me with a sense of vitality that had been hampered by winter’s heavy gloom. And despite an old elbow injury (from the sport of being thrown from a moving golf cart, but that’s a story for another day), I found myself skipping stones.
As I stood at the water’s edge, selecting smooth stones from the shoreline, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. I’m not that great at skipping stones, but once in a while, I’m able to achieve that sweet soft-slap across the surface of the water. One – Two – Three – Four skips! And when it happens, I feel a swell of happiness. Why? What a weird thing to make me happy.
Contemplating my own intermittent joy in the process of basically throwing rocks, I pondered the interplay between the skipping stones and the water, how the behavior of the stones mirrored the complexities of life itself. Some stones, propelled by angle and velocity, skipped gracefully, symbolizing moments of success and achievement (The trajectory of happiness). Others, most, sank swiftly, representing the challenges and setbacks that we encounter along our life’s path (The trajectory of not-happiness). But even in the moments of “not-happiness,” there can be contentment, and anticipation but only if we continue to try.
Mindfulness helps us see that even amidst the moments of “not-happiness” when stones sink rather than skip, it is temporary. It helps us maintain perspective and stay focused on the bigger picture, reminding us that setbacks do not define our entire journey. With mindfulness, we can acknowledge the disappointment of a sunken stone while also recognizing the valuable lessons it offers. Instead of getting stuck in regret or frustration, mindfulness encourages us to view challenges as opportunities for growth and resilience. By staying present and aware, we can channel our energy into adjusting our approach, refining our technique, and trying again with renewed determination. Thus, mindfulness becomes a powerful ally in our quest for continuous progress and fulfillment, enabling us to search for and find perfect stones for skipping.