When they glide across the surface, it appears effortless. Yet underneath the water, their little webbed feet are paddling madly. The mother duck charted a direct course to the shore. She shook her feathers out, tucked her head and settled in for a nap. Her two ducklings continued to spin and dart nearby. Suddenly, they stopped and swam towards Mom. Each duckling chose a side and sheltered under Mom's wings.
The natural world respects the power and necessity of rest. The four seasons allow for regeneration. The quiet cold of winter is followed by a burst of life in spring. Man is part of nature, but we forget this. Intuitively we know we need to decompress; we search for ways to boost our energy. We turn to coffee, energy drinks, alcohol or medications. Sometimes, we ignore fatigue and accelerate the pace of our lives; illness and fatigue become regular companions.
I recently completed a 10 day detox. I avoided processed food, alcohol, sugar and caffeine. I ate fresh vegetables, fruit, nuts, beans, tofu and fish. I drank water and decaffeinated tea. I incorporated more breath work and meditation into each day. I made a concerted effort to go to bed before 10 pm. I thought that the detox was about my body, but it was really about my mind.
The caffeine and alcohol restriction gave me time to look at my habits. I enjoy coffee and wine, but now I enjoy them mindfully. I used breathing exercises to calm my mind when I had insomnia. The experience made me ponder different ways to rest.
The senses are gifts, but they can be overstimulated. Authentic rest feeds the body and the soul. It calms the senses so we can tune into the spirit. Beautiful music, breathtaking scenery, fresh air, music, a meal with friends, the hug of a loved one: All of these have restorative power. I recently spent time visiting with friends. There was no sightseeing, just connecting. Perhaps a more relaxed body leaves room for a more engaged heart?
At the park, I hopped on the swing and began pumping my legs. I felt 4 not 54. The breeze rustling through the aspens was like the talking trees of Narnia. The scent of the pine trees was clean and invigorating. The sun was warm on my face. The ducklings waddled after Mom and settled in for a nap on the smooth, round rock. My physical body found calm and my heart found gratitude.
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| Time for a nap! |
The caffeine and alcohol restriction gave me time to look at my habits. I enjoy coffee and wine, but now I enjoy them mindfully. I used breathing exercises to calm my mind when I had insomnia. The experience made me ponder different ways to rest.
The senses are gifts, but they can be overstimulated. Authentic rest feeds the body and the soul. It calms the senses so we can tune into the spirit. Beautiful music, breathtaking scenery, fresh air, music, a meal with friends, the hug of a loved one: All of these have restorative power. I recently spent time visiting with friends. There was no sightseeing, just connecting. Perhaps a more relaxed body leaves room for a more engaged heart?
At the park, I hopped on the swing and began pumping my legs. I felt 4 not 54. The breeze rustling through the aspens was like the talking trees of Narnia. The scent of the pine trees was clean and invigorating. The sun was warm on my face. The ducklings waddled after Mom and settled in for a nap on the smooth, round rock. My physical body found calm and my heart found gratitude.
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