I went outside to feed the koi when I noticed my little one had lined up these rocks on our bench.  I found the sight of them so soothing I decided to snap a picture before returning them to their place by the pond.  I have seen pictures of stones stacked serenely against the backdrop of running water.  While these rocks are not vertical, I found them calming nonetheless.  A cairn is a manmade pile of stones and the word itself is derived from the Scottish Gaelic meaning “calm.”  The French Saint Francis de Sales, Patron Saint of Journalists and Writers, once wrote:

“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit.  Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.”

This is not an easy thing to do but I think it is worthy of striving for.  As we enter into the rush and bustle of the holiday season I want to try and slow down, focusing on what really matters.  I want my little one and I to spend some time outside with the rocks.  We can learn a lot from them, like how to be zen.