Shift Happens

Years ago, during a visit to Ireland, I purchased a beautiful green stone. It was pretty. It was cheap. And it served as a reminder of my fabulous trip with friends. Little did I know that it was a Worry Stone. You know, one of those oval shaped stones, with a thumb-sized indentation that you rub for relaxation or to reduce anxiety.

Fast forward over a decade. I received another stone as a gift. On one side is the word Problem, on the other, Solution. Although the Worry Stone wins points because of its beauty and lovely memories; the Problem/Solution stone speaks more to my soul. Here’s why.

I get to choose how long to sit on the Problem side – because sometimes it is where I need to be. And then, I choose when to flip the stone over – because it is the life-giving place for me to be. And here’s the extraordinary part – the shift from worry to concern, limitations to possibilities, problem to solution – happens faster and faster as time goes on.

So, the gorgeous green stone has been replaced with an ordinary looking gray stone. It is a reminder that choices are there to be made. And, for that which I cannot control, I still get to choose my response.