It’s the end of the first quarter of 2024 which got me feeling a lot of feelings.
I am not surprised that a track from their album has once again reached my limbic system and heartstring. Skipping Stones is the game of throwing irregular, jagged stones (because in terms of physics, they have the best aerodynamics?) to a body of water, then we see which bounces the most or goes the farthest. There are millions of metaphors possible with all the words and phrases under the sun but I will hold this one so dearly close to me as it has helped me traversed the life (just as Run Away did five years ago).
Prefacing quick summary of why this song is in my top list and which lyrics speak to me the most, with the imagery of a river = ourselves (within).
We love throwing irregular, jagged stones into the calm river. Stones = emotions, regrets, and insecurities.
Even though we know it hurts, we grab another stone. We keep bottling up negative emotions, regrets, and insecurities, subjecting them to our own selves.
I’m curious about what feelings you go through…the countless emotions are filling your river. The stones from the land are now in the bottom of the river; they pile up within.
The water that swallowed your scars will become calm someday and it will have a “wide embrace”. Notice how the water always returns to its calm state after rippling. Whatever is thrown is swallowed, sinking — the surface remains unfazed.
Throw away the lingering thoughts hanging on your fingertips. Earlier, we wondered “why are we doing this to ourselves?” but let’s just keep skipping stones although it hurts, we are releasing the emotions, regrets, insecurities, whatever it is. It is part of maturing, perhaps so let some stuff sink, let some to cause disturbance.
just like always, just like you always have…This is my favorite mantra. I’ve done it before, I will do it again. I was patient enough, I was brave once. I will be patient and brave to get through this.
and last,
…but you and I still breathe, heading towards the ocean. I am weak when it comes to any metaphor/personification about a flow of water. The water in a river is contained but they will end up in the ocean, no matter what it goes through. I always love the idea of “expanding” oneself and the journey of water from a single drop, a small stream, a meandering river, to a vast ocean that occasionally makes its way to the land as waves, is one of the most beautiful passages of life one can take.
[Song lyrics, composition, and production credit: HANRORO (she was only 22!), Jin Dong Wook, Maiz, and Revin. Lyric translation credit: Weverse Magazine writer–Kim Doheon, @translatingtxt]
Note: the quintet and the production team behind them never fails to deliver moving portrayals and empowering messages about growing. In the midst of many acts pumping the next big hit; the marketable dance-able tunes, I am glad that some of us can still find some solace and become a non-judgmental mirror for us to look at ourselves again. Soar high, tubatu.
