When one has several streams of income to attend to, in addition to household chores, errands, and various other responsibilities and projects, it can be a challenge to allow oneself a day off.
I kind of succeeded today, and it was so worth it!!!
I had an absolutely delightful lunch with someone it seems I should have somehow met by now. We have so much in common and I truly enjoyed her company. I like meeting like-minded souls.
Afterwards, because it was warmer than usual, I intended to go for a walk at a park. But I somehow made a wrong turn, and instead ended up at the river. For some reason the path along the canal was closed off. I had several choices: return home, walk on the bridge across the river, or sit in the leaves underneath the trees along the banks of the river. It was so wonderful to choose door number three.
I think most of us, when we are in nature, choose activities such as walking or biking or hiking. It’s such a different experience to just sit on the earth. No phone, no book, no journal. Just me and the leaves and the trees, the river and the air and the birds.
I just sat for a while, letting my senses engage with my environment. The comfort of sitting on the grass and fallen leaves; the scents of autumn — moist earth, decaying leaves; the trees canopied above me; the peaceful flow of the river….
There was a flock of birds. I’m pretty certain they were pigeons. And they flew in circles and arcs and spirals and figure eights in the same area over and over and over again. I tried to find a pattern in their flight and couldn’t discern one. But I was fascinated that they never really went farther north or south but instead stayed in the general area of the bridge. I came to the conclusion that they were creating a kind of vortex. Or maybe it was their way of blessing the river. Some of you may think that’s a little nutty, but I continue to believe that souls in the animal kingdom are considerably more conscious and aware than we realize.
While sitting there underneath the trees, my mind got to relax. Various ideas and insights began to percolate up from my subconscious.
Now home, I continue to feel very relaxed. A day off can be so productive–not in terms of things that get checked off a list, but in the quality of soul restoration that is allowed to unfurl in its own leisurely way.
I extend peaceful blessings to you this day. Namaste.
