I still got it...even 15 some odd years later!

It's still committed to memory!  :)  Ahhhh, I can still smell the field! 

Calming of the Mind

It occurs to me that stress occupies an inordinate amount of time in one's life.  Today was no exception for me.  I was under a great deal of pressure at work while trying to mentally balance all the other aspects of my life.  By the end of the day, I was mentally exhausted!  (Children are exceptionally adept at being able to find and push one's buttons!  Darn them and their constant experiments on me!)

I decided that I needed a drink.  Not just any drink; I decided I wanted to drink in some natural sunlight and soak up some nature!  I went to John Bryan park in Yellow Springs.  It was the perfect day for just such a jaunt.  It's amazing because I was driving 60 miles per hour and blaring my music on the way there.  It was like I just couldn't wait to get there.  (Probably because I couldn't!)  About halfway there, I turned off the music and rolled the windows down.  I realized the music was not helping; if nothing else it was keying me up even more.  So I just let the wind wash over me as I created my very own wind tunnel.  At 60 mph, you'd be surprised at the kinds of scents that waft by!  I smelled flowers, freshly cut grass, and moisture in the air. 

I realized that I was already beginning to relax the closer I came to my destination.  I suddenly became conscious of how beautiful everything was--and also that I was able to navigate to my destination without my trusty TomTom!  That was a nice pat on the back!

Once I reached John Bryan Park, I began my trek into the woods.  I brought my trusty camera to take some snapshots of the beauty that now enveloped me.  It was like Mother Nature was wrapping her arms around me and telling me that everything was going to be okay.  I stopped and just observed.  The river was more swollen than the last time I was there.  I could hear the cacophony of birds all around me.  It was like the stress was melting away with each step or blink of my eyes!

Tadpole! (Note: I don't know why it's rotated like this; the original isn't)

The River

Canadian Geese

Wildflowers

More wildflowers

Beauty & the Beast

I got to be privy to some great moments with nature.  I discovered tadpoles flagellating about along the river bank.  I observed two Canadian Geese hanging out for the evening in the river.  I heard strange splashing coming from the river as I traversed the length of it and discovered a school of carp floundering about!  Imagine my surprise as I heard a loud whoosh as a turkey vulture descended and then glided through the trees.  I saw butterflies and spiders.  I have to say I was impressed that my senses were present enough in the moment to discover a spider reclining beneath a leaf of a sapling, but much to my surprise that was not all that lay there with the arachnid; it was supping on a cabbage butterfly!  Then I observed a tiny spider just chillin' in the center of it's magnificent web.  (I have discovered that I can appreciate spiders and even like them when they're in their own habitat and not mine!)

A simple walk in the woods; a totally affordable form of therapy!  I realized as I was headed home, I wasn't driving faster than 50 mph and I felt great!  So long stress!  :)

Presence

Recently, I have gotten up before sunrise to experience an early Ohio morning.  It was quite the experience to take a walk up the street and hear the cacophony of birds chirping their morning songs to each other.  I began to wonder what it was that they were chattering about.  It was interesting because when one is truly present in a moment, the things that you can perceive are incredible.  You can actually differentiate the different species of birds!  I'm not sure who was who (it's hard to see when things are still rather dark), but it was obvious there were different voices in the cacophony!

The air was cool and crisp.  I find it invigorating to walk at that hour of the morning and experience a part of the day that so few people are privy to.  Now, I enjoy my sleep; don't get me wrong, but I also enjoy the serenity that accompanies a fresh and newly awakening day!  It is truly a sight, sound, feeling and scent to behold!  I say scent, because the morning has a certain fragrance about it.  It is a sweet purity that clings to the morning air.  It fills you with a sense of tranquility and peace, which is nice at the beginning of the day.  (I often need that to move through the restless hustle of a preschool day!)

Presence means to be fully aware and immerse one's self in the moment.  How often do we allow ourselves the opportunity?  In our daily lives there are so many demands--work, school, children, family...the list could go on, but I choose to name but a few.  I challenge myself to allow myself the simple pleasure of presence at least three times during my day--once in the morning, once in the afternoon and once in the evening.  I challenge you to try it too!  See how much more you can appreciate in one day!

Sunrise - Cuyahoga Falls, OH 2009

Community

A community to most people is an area with which a large group of people live, work and spend their leisure time together.  Have we really ever thought of the fact that a community could contain more than just ourselves?  I think of my community as a multi-species community.  This is a concept I picked up from the book: The Nature Principle by Richard Louv.

The idea that our community is shared by squirrels, bees, stray cats and dogs, bees, etc. makes you look at things a little bit differently.  I have noticed that since I have shifted my perspective, I don't feel alone.  I look forward to coming home to my cat, Naboo, my fern, Fernie and the flock of sparrows that frequent my bird feeder outside on my patio.  (Yes, I named my fern!) My community is growing by the day.  In fact, today I've spotted some mourning doves and a squirrel partaking in the goodies I left outdoors today.

I feel as though I'm a part of something much bigger and much more important.  When my bird feeder goes empty, it's important that I refill it.  The birds who frequent it depend on it.  I must consider the weather and whether or not it will be too frigid for my Fernie.  The things that I care for also care for me, in turn.  The birds who frequent the feeder bring me enjoyment and excitement.  I also feel connected to them.  I look forward to their daily arrival in the morning and evening hours.  Fernie provides me with fresh air to breathe and an aesthetically pleasing environment on my patio (and in my home on cold days).  This is to say nothing of my companion Naboo!  He is at the center of my world.  He makes me laugh, cry and relax all at the same time sometimes.  Silly boy!  I think I am the center of his world too.

I enjoy my multi-species community.  I feel connected and that is an amazing thing.  I love my world!  :)