The parable of the traveling rock

I walked into the Divey Diner in downtown Moody. I gotta latte and sat down uninvited across from a girl who was reading a travel guide for Sophia, Bulgaria.

She looked up, startled by my forwardness. "Just a minute," I said. "If you are about to set off on your travels, take this with you." She was really cute and apparently preparing to see the world.

"I would like to give you this. This rock. To take on your journeys." It was a pebble - polished agate, like they used to make marbles out of.

She accepted it reluctantly with a raised eyebrow - clearly expecting explanation. My explanation was this:

This rock has two meanings. Carry it with you always.

First, let it symbolize kindness. Always be willing to accept kindness in the manner it was intended. As you travel through this world, you will meet people who are able and willing and perhaps even eager to show you kindness and hospitality. Sometimes, the help they offer is something you really need. Sometimes, a weird piece is the last piece you need for the puzzle. Never be afraid to accept it with gratitude and grace.

I traveled in Japan for 10 months. That was near on 15 years ago. I met a fellow on the train in Tokyo - an American. From California. He was on some sort of exchange to volunteer with the Japanese Diet (congress). Not only did he offer to let me sleep on his couch for two weeks, but he eventually put me in touch with the guy I roomed with until it was time to leave Japan.

The girl and the pebble: The pebble has a second meaning. Maybe it comes with a hidden obligation. Like an anchor that has a cable attached. Like kharma. It may become a heavy burden. After all, why would anyone wanna carry around some old rock that some guy in a coffee shop is willing to unload for nothing?

If that becomes the case, recycle it. If the pebble is a burden, do not set it down. Do not throw it away. Instead, give it away: Offer it as a gift to someone else. Maybe it's the last weird piece of their puzzle.

Offer them what ever help or wisdom you might have - and the rock along with it. For it is a traveling rock and if it is offered in kindness, perhaps one day it may find its way back to you.

[ED: Yea, just watch out it don't come back to you by way of a fast pitch.]