Balance. Serenity. Peace.
I don’t remember when I first started building cairns. I’d been collecting stones, shells and random natural ephemera since I was a kid. Free souvenirs, I guess.
But the balancing, that came later. And it didn’t come with ease. It still doesn’t.
I can’t balance when I’m distracted — if I’m upset or laughing or angry or anxious or just talking with a friend. I can’t balance when I’m holding my dog’s leash or a cup of coffee. I can’t balance when I really really really want to post something new on @Cairnopolis’ Instagram.
I have to be still, quiet and focused. I have to listen to the rocks, to find the ones that want to be kin. When I get there, I find a meditative space that brings a bit of calm to my anxious mind.
If I haven’t built in a while, I’ll catch myself hunting for rocks, eyeing up the perfect perch for a balance. My subconscious mind knows it needs a bit of peace, I guess… I should probably listen to her more.
Anacortes Cairn 
Lincoln Park Cairn 
Blue Pools Cairn 
Piha Beach, NZ Cairn 
Sonoma County, CA
It’s another form of creativity in my world, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Follow along my Cairnopolis’ adventures on Instagram or Facebook. And if you like to build, too, please tag me in your posts and I’ll share on my pages for others to enjoy as well.