"Let your mind be quiet, realizing the beauty of the world, and the immense, the boundless treasures that it holds in store." by Edward Carpenter The Best Stress Relief and It's Free! Sometimes it's the simple things that are the most moving. I love to watch sunsets whenever possible, especially after a busy day. One evening, after a particularly hectic day, I observed one of the most beautiful sunsets ever. As the sun went below the horizon, the skies turned various shades of pink across an unusual cloud formation. As far as I could see, the sky was ablaze with color. I was in awe. I was mesmerized and so moved that I begin to silently say thank you for the opportunity to view such beauty. I felt such peace and serenity that I wanted it to last forever. And guess what? This pure pleasure was free!! When I was sitting on the deck, I wondered how many people were also watching this spectacular sunset. When was the last time you enjoyed such simple pleasures as watching the sun rise or set? Nature offers beautiful things for us to see everyday, but most of the time we are too busy to even notice. What would it take for you to add one simple pleasure to your daily routine? Would it mean turning off the TV for a short while, pulling yourself away from the computer, or working one hour less? Think about being out in nature. What brings you joy? Is it seeing a rainbow after a storm, planting flowers, bird watching, sitting by a body of water, listening to a waterfall, being the first person on the golf course early morning, walking your dog or watching the sun rise or set? Think back to some of the pleasant memories in your life. How many of them have something to do with nature? As writer Wayne Dyer says: "It is not an accident that so many of our most revered poets and writers have found nature to be the source of their artistry. It is in nature that one loses all judgments and false pretenses because nature does not judge." For one week, pick a designated time each day to immerse yourself in nature. Just listen and observe, even if it's only for 20 minutes. Pay attention to how you feel at the end of the week. Energized? Serene? Rested? Commit to making this simple pleasure a part of your daily routine and give yourself the best stress relief - and it's absolutely free! Copyright June 2004 by Vicki Miller |
