This second instalment of my series Life Lessons from My Favourite Things is about rocks. Yes, rocks. According to National Geographic, the definition of rock to a geologist is “a natural substance composed of solid crystals of different minerals that have been fused together in a solid lump.” Based on their formation, this fusion of different minerals assembled in various patterns and textures makes each rock a work of art.

I love rocks. I was one of those children who collected small rocks from a road or country path that caught my eye, drawing me to them. In a weird way, I never grew out of collecting rocks. On many trips, I would set my eyes on a piece of these inanimate, cold fragments of earth whether igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic, and it would become my trip souvenir.

Why do I love rocks?

They have a natural and unique beauty – no two rocks are exactly alike. Their colours, forms and textures hold a deep mystery and create a sense of wonder and fascination. Natural rock formations are among the most beautiful, incredibly scenic places of the world.

Rocks also offer a grounding sense of connection to nature that helps people feel rooted and calm, and can be used as inspiration for art, sculpture, and other creative endeavours.  In an almost weird way, I find them calming and soothing, especially the smooth ones that were weathered by water erosion.

Beyond the physical aspects, rocks collecting provides a deep connection to the natural world. Holding these bits of geological treasure in your hands gives you an intense connection to the Earth’s history and a timely reminder of the incredible forces that have shaped our planet over thousands of years.

It seems fitting that I now have a small collection of rocks in a basket in my living room. Finding those rocks was definitely not an easy task, if you are a rock lover like me. I have a few specific criteria for picking my choice rock. It must be the right shape – not too large because I have to take it back home, and have some interest in colour and mineral formation. This criterion helped me pick my most prized piece of quartz that still brings me joy decades later.

Several years ago, my youth group and I painted “Prayer Rocks” as Saturday evening social activity where we wrote down Bible promises to support what we prayed for in our lives at that time. It felt really good to write down words of hope on something so solid that helped them look even more beautiful.

Rocks and stones have been used for as long as time to build foundations and all other types of lasting structures. I have often thought that some people are like rocks, dependable, steadfast, and loyal. Jesus taught his disciples that they would be considered as wise if thy built their houses on the rock, literally and spiritually. When the storms of life come, your house would stand firm, and who doesn’t want that?