The morning glories on my gate are still greeting me each morning with their happy blooms and gorgeous deep color. They have taken over the fence row and I couldn't be happier. Their translucent beauty REFRESHES my spirit.
Isn't this little moss clump on a rock with a tiny flower blooming in the middle of it a wonderful example of nature's simple beauty? This was in the creek near my house. Ahh- sitting on the bank of the creek enjoying the sounds of the rushing water and gazing at this beauty REFRESHES my mind!
My three day a week low stress job has suddenly turned into a 4 day a week, stressful one due to my boss announcing her retirement and another woman in my department being on maternity leave. I am pretty spoiled and have enjoyed so much freedom for the past few years since semi-retiring from my high pressure job in the corporate world. It is hard to shift gears and put my nose to the grindstone now. I am hoping it will only be this way for a few more months but it is going to be pretty fast and furious through the end of the year. In order to keep my perspective and not let myself get overworked, I am making sure I "escape" into nature regularly for REFRESHMENT. I have been going on a hike in the woods at least once a week, and am walking in my neighborhood every other evening.
I am also reminding myself to be conscious of all of the beauty around me at any given moment. The morning glories are just outside my door when I get in my car for work. The little moss island is in a stream around the corner from my house on a walk. When I am at the park near my house, hiking in the woods I see deer, otters, herons, ducks, geese, owls and gorgeous vegetation that ALL remind me there is a natural rhythm that is an undercurrent of life and if I allow myself to plug into that current I am rejuvenated and REFRESHED. I am then able to do what I need to do at work without allowing myself to get burned out. If I don't get my regular nature "fix" I get anxious and easily flustered.
Once again - I go to John Muir for inspiration ---
“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity...”
― John Muir
Yes! For me - wilderness IS a necessity and is my favorite way to spell REFRESH!
How do YOU spell REFRESH?
I agree. When I lived in the country, even though the drive home from work was longer, the passing scenery relaxed me in a way I couldn't have paid for. Nature is my cure-all.
ReplyDeleteA ride in the country - even to and from work - is soothing. I take the back roads when I go to work and it is much more relaxing than the interstate. I can't take the rushing and traffic jams of that! I like to take my time and enjoy the scenery.
DeleteBeautiful post and I so agree! I NEED nature and need to enjoy every little thing.. and I do enjoy it all! You are so fortunate to have that little creek so close to your house! I used to live on 5 acres up in Washougal, WA that had a creek running through it and I so loved it. We had those mossy rocks everywhere.. moss was second only to the grass and weeds there (and wildflowers growing in the woods). I so loved the woods and miss them terribly here in the dry climate! I've seen all of your responses to my blog posts and want to go answer them, but if I do, don't know if you will get them?? I'll figure out a way! I'm sorry your loss stress job has turned into a high stress job. I worked in the legal field for 45 years and I know all about stress! I hated it and finally had to quit when I was 62 for health reasons... wish I could have worked until 65 but was impossible on that particular job. I did do some part time work for a couple more years but retired at 63.. and boy.. once you retire, even if you think it's only going to be a "semi retire".. it's hard to make yourself go back to work. I do a little part time work here now and then, but I'm not loving it at all! When I lived on that 5 acres, I had to drive 35 miles to work one way, but the drive home up the river and through the woods was well worth it. Nature is also my cure-all and the quote here from John Muir says it all. Hugs...
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteOh it sounds like your 5 acres in WA were a paradise! I can understand missing being in the midst of all that beauty and being in a totally different climate. I have a passion for moss - lol! I find it so fascinating and beautiful. I was in the legal field for a couple of years and found it way too stressful and demanding so I know what you are talking about. I am 59 and I find that working 3 days is a perfect balance to keep me engaged, yet still have freedom. It's funny that adding just one day to that is hard! I miss my time off!!! :) I am hoping to fully retire at 65. I hope your health issues have improved since your retirement. When I was in my high stress corporate job, I started having health problems and that is when i made a decision to get out and find a part time, no pressure job. I should be able to see your replies to my comments on your blog. They might even be in my email -- I'll have to check. I am still learning so much about how this blog thing works!
DeleteYes the 5 acres was paradise! Wish we would have never left there, though it was pretty harsh in the winters. First winter there we got 3 feet of snow! Our entire woods floor in one area was all moss... you would have loved it! I have tons of pictures of mossy rocks on our property and mossy trees. I didn't find an email on your blog either.. if there is one, let me know and I could send you a few of those pictures. They are gorgeous! Yes.. the legal field is VERY stressful. Don't know why I stuck with it for so many years. I did get out of it a couple of times, in between legal jobs, but those other jobs were pretty stressful too! Working 4 days a week the last few years I worked was a Godsend... and I always wished I could work 3 days a week.. perfect. I now only work part-time now and then,,, at a lawfirm in this small town, when they need someone for vacation fill-in. Perfect fit for me. I hope your job goes back to 3 days a week soon!
DeleteMy email is simplysinglesenior@gmail.com. I don't like that Blogger shows me as a "no-reply" in posts. From what I've read - that can't be changed. I'd love for you to send some pics of your home in WA and the MOSS. :) Sounds like you have a good think going with the occasional fill in at the law firm. The older I get the LESS I want STRESS!
DeleteI'm sorry to hear you've been working more and experiencing job stress. Been there, done that - don't want to do that again! I don't handle that kind of anxiety and stress very well. Caused me health problems. I agree that being out in beautiful nature (love your morning glories!) and walking are good stress relievers and do indeed refresh the body and soul.
ReplyDeleteI am so in love with those morning glories! So Sorry you had health problems as a result of work anxiety and stress - seems there a lot of us that were affected by our work life negatively and I find that sad. I hope you are free of that now and your health has improved. I know mine improved immediately when I left the corporate craziness.
DeleteI too love your morning glories and I have to admit that getting out and about in nature is how I spell refresh as well.
ReplyDeleteDiana
I truly believe that is how God wired us.... to find solace in his amazing creation! Thank you for visiting Diana!
DeleteHow lovely! I adore morning glories, and even though they have taken over the garden gate into my veggie garden, they make me smile every morning! I will miss them in a few weeks when the frost hits - but each season has its own beauty, and I shall embrace the new season ahead and all it has to offer!
ReplyDeleteI love your attitude MM! Each season brings it's own wonder and beauty!
DeleteYour morning glories are so pretty. They are a 'happy' flower.
ReplyDeleteOur weather down here in s.e. FL is somewhat cooler, with less humidity and that makes a huge difference in how one feels. I am thankful for the small change.
I am in need of some refreshment and look forward to going to 'Butterfly World' this coming Saturday.
I thank you for your kind and encouraging comment on my latest blog post. I looked for an email addy for you but couldn't find one, so here I am.
Have a great week ~ FlowerLady