Why These 3 Rocks Changed Everything: Rockhounding Personal Growth

Sounds so simple: 3 Rocks. Keep ONLY Three Rocks. Only 3 rocks will go in your backpack. I knew I had limited time at the dry creek gravels, 2 hours to be exact. I don't like limiting my time because then I feel rushed, however, some time is always better than no time when you're rockhounding. That's how I think anyway. Why only three? I like to examine my rocks when I get home. I love to cut them to see what hidden beauty may lie inside or take an even closer look with my microscope. I don't always get to do that if I have too many rocks. Although not known to me at the time, the reason I did this challenge was so much more than those easily deduced reasons.

I wanted to see how hard it would be to leave something that I loved behind. Not just for the benefit of others who might enjoy it in the days, months or years to come. Maybe no one finds the others that I believe hold some sort of spell upon my soul. Who am I to think everyone feels what I find as beautiful the same. I need to be respectful of nature and what she gives us. Is it a certain number of rocks that I think I need to make myself forever happy? Am I that selfish? Superficial? Am I letting greed crowd my thoughts? Is there a feeling of competition in that somehow it's the rockhound with the most rocks that wins the prize? Am I feeling jealous of those whom I feel find better rocks? Am I not sharing enough joy when others finally understand the wonders of rockhounding? Do I need to remind myself that it's not the rock itself that is alleviating any pain in my heart...

Did I learn something from this challenge? Oh boy. I will set pride and ego aside to tell you that this was an experience that has been engraved into me for the long run. The feelings I felt were quite a wake up call for me personally. I didn't like how I felt- the bargaining, the arguing, the just plain negative feeling of wanting or somehow thinking I deserved more. More than anything else, feeling "alone" rockhounding.

I want to understand these feelings on a deeper level and learn to better myself with every rockhounding adventure. Will I only keep 3 rocks from now on? Heck no! Let's be realistic. Baby steps. This was hard! Bottom line- rockhounding is where I am at peace and feel closest to those I've loved and lost. It's a precious, magical time. It's where I am alone but never "alone." It's where I get to have that crazy feeling that comes over me -- where I catch myself smiling or laughing out loud even though no one is around.

This was a great experience for me and I am thankful for everyone who continues to support me along this journey or can at least appreciate the process. Rock on Everyone!