Reflections from the river

It's almost a week into the river of stones project. It feels like a bit longer since I started a little early. So far it has been lots of fun. Each day I am writing a short piece about a small moment that day and posting it here. I have set a few rules for myself. The small stone I write is to be about something I noticed that day. I write it and post it the same day. I post one and only one small stone each day. Just one each day. Today I was tempted to break this last rule and post two. I had two that I wanted to post and was having trouble deciding which one to post. I came up with them both at around the same time. Actually I was just about to post one when I thought of another. I ended up posting the second one. 


the sound of happy
drifts out
from under my daughter's door


Just as I was about to post the first one that I had written I could hear Brianna playing in her bedroom. The door was shut but I could hear her talking away to herself. She sounded very happy as she does when she is fully involved in play. After a little contemplation I decided on my small stone for the day. I really liked the first one too but also felt like I wanted to say more about it. I decided that I would post it here so I could say some more about it. The original one was 


jigsaw puzzle


one piece
such a feeling of accomplishment
and then
I step back and see
there is so much more to do
but remember
every tiny piece matters


I'm not usually much of a puzzle person. I usually prefer to create than to put things back together. I am enjoying doing a puzzle at the moment though. 

I have been thinking about the parallels between doing a puzzle and writing small stones. I love searching for the details and learning the different shades and shapes. Sometimes the right pieces are easy to find and almost seem to jump into my hands. Other times the right piece is elusive. I love that feeling of finding the right piece, particularly after a long search. Writing small stones isn't really so different. Sometimes they come easy. Other times I write for a while before I get the words just the way I want them. 


So far it hasn't been difficult to post every day. I have posted all of my small stones for January in the morning. This is mainly because I've been keen to write and post them. So they have all been about morning things. I look forward to posting later in the day moments as the month goes on. I'm also sure that the day will arrive where I forget to post. When that happens I just plan to keep going when I remember. I have been immensely enjoying reading other people's small stones. The variety is amazing. What a great, flowing river it is at the moment. It's so motivating to know other people are writing a small stone each day. I am definitely not alone. Getting positive feedback has been a real buzz too. I am grateful to those who have taken the time to leave comments. They are very much appreciated. The posts from Fiona and Kaspalita are very motivating too as well as interesting. I especially like this one. I can definitely relate to the thoughts 'Is it any good? Is it any good? Is it any good?'


It can be a bit scary to post my writing and know that other people are probably going to read it at some stage. I worry about whether my writing will be understood in the way I meant it. I constantly remind myself that sometimes it will and sometimes it won't. Sometimes after I post I find I start liking a small stone more. Other times I think I have a fantastic one but it fades after posting. Sometimes writing a small stone can be like searching for the elusive puzzle piece. Just when you think you have the perfect piece you try it out only to find it just doesn't fit and you feel a bit silly for thinking it did. 


Just as every tiny piece of the puzzle matters and the puzzle wouldn't be the same without them, every small stone is important for the river. The river wouldn't be the same without them.