Find your happy place....

I do not understand 

how anyone can live 

without one small place of 

enchantment to turn to.

Marjorie Kiman Rawling

Can you describe your happy place? 

A place where you can be yourself, relax, and clear your mind of troubles and stress?

Is it a physical place that makes you feel content, or is your happiness there dependent on having certain people there with you sharing ideas, thoughts, and opinions?

Either way -- everyone needs a refuge.  We all need to  know there's a place to go where we feel safe, comfortable, and protected. 

Just this morning, I  was watching my cats, Mr. Jingles and Koshka as they played together on the patio.  Just as they were getting very involved in their game of tag and wrestling, our dog, Tipper, walked up to them.  Tipper is a very old dog and was not being assertive in any way, but her simple  presence startled them, ended their fun and they raced for the back door!

They were not happy!

When I opened the door, they raced through it and headed immediately for their favorite rug and within 5 minutes both were sleeping soundly without a care in the world.  They found their happy place! A place where they were warm, comfortable, and safe.

My challenge for you today is to define your happy place and resolve to go there now! 

Blessings!
Sharon

The art of relaxing....

"Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits." 

Satchel Paige

The weekend is here, the weather is cooperating and a gentle wind is sending the scents of Spring wafting through my open window.  I've had things I've had to get accomplished today, and I still have a few things that need to be done, but I am looking forward to having a little bit of true "down time" this weekend!

Everyone needs a little time to spend clearing their mind of the clutter of overwhelming tasks, bills to pay and a busy lifestyle!  


If you're able to get away and spend some time in a quiet place outdoors, try spending just 15 minutes taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of nature.  Enjoy the view...listen for the sounds of birds singing...breathe in the aroma of the breeze. 


Think about creation. 


Think about the people you love.


Sit and think...or, in the words of the beloved Satchel Paige, "just sit".


Enjoy your down time!


Blessings,


Sharon

Who are you?

“Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.”

Chinese Proverb

The weekend is upon us and I am looking forward to that rare Saturday morning when I can spend my time doing everything I want to do, or nothing at all.  I am in control of my Saturday morning!  

Most of us spend a lot of time being who we think we should be, and that takes a lot of energy - mental and physical! We all need to have that "down time" when we can really get comfortable, kick back, enjoy our favorite things and truly relax. 


Rest is healing.  Doctors tell us to rest when we're ill, counselors tell us to rest when we're stressed and athletes know that without proper rest, their bodies will not perform at optimum levels.


Rest is underrated in this "hurry up" world we live in, so take some time this weekend and spend enough time resting that you're able to really think about who you are -- not just what you think you  should be doing!


Blessings,


Sharon

Take It Easy

"Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop."  ~Ovid


Doctors, athletes, corporate leaders, religious leaders, and moms will all tell you that rest is important!  Leonardo da Vinci said, "Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer."


Every new mother  figures out quickly that she needs to rest when her infant rests!  


I believe that during times of  rest our minds and bodies "re-group" and heal from the physical, mental, and emotional stress that weighs us down.  


Take some time for yourself this weekend.  Read. Listen to music. Spend time doing something you truly enjoy.  Sometimes it's good to just sit quietly and practice some deep breathing!  Most people get so caught up in their busy lives, they actually spend a good deal of time holding their breath!  (Thus, the heavy sigh when a task seems too monumental to accomplish, or even as a task is completed....)


I plan to listen to a couple of Jack Johnson & Van Morrison CDs, finish reading a book I started last week,  hold my new baby granddaughter, share lots of hugs with my 3 year old grandson, and love life this weekend! You should try that, too!