The Fruits of Nature

With the overload of holiday stress reaching a tipping point, I decided to check out of the social world and check in to the pre cell phone and Facebook era.  It wasn't an all-day event, just three hours.  However, those three hours gave me a sense of clarity and calmness that I haven't felt in months.  

So what did I do?  I decided to turn off the TV, ditch my cell phone and go on a date with Mother Nature.  My first thought when placing my phone on the desk was, "What if an emergency happens?"  Sorry phone I thought to myself, giving it one more glance before I walked out the door.  If I don't leave you alone and tune the social world out then there will definitely be an emergency.

I decided to go to a basketball court that wasn't far from where I lived.  To be honest, I didn't feel anything.  No worries, no stress.  Just me and this faded basketball that hasn't flattened for the 3 years I had it.  One thing I did feel however was that I definitely need to get in shape. 

After shooting around, I put the basketball away and went to enjoy nature at the Urban Wetlands.  Here I would be able to see the lovely birds, squirrels, and dogs being walked while overlooking the beautiful lake and trees that surrounded it.  

I began my walk, observing the trees and animals looking for food.  As I walked further down the path I started to realize that me, the trees, the animals, and the water are all one.  What I mean by one is that we all exist here on this planet and none of us neither human, animal or tree is greater than the other.  We all need each other to survive.  

So what are the animals, trees, and water doing that I am not?  Why does it seem like I'm so stressed but the squirrels are just prancing around looking like they are enjoying themselves.  The answer came to me like I was hit by a ton of bricks.  It's because they are not worried about what they will eat two weeks from now.  Trees are not worried if they will fall down when the next storm hits.  They are all living in the moment.  Finding food right now.  Looking beautiful right now.  It's a characteristic that we have lost but can be easily regained.

Take in this very moment.  Understand that you will never be able to get back this day, this hour, this very minute.  So why not enjoy it while it's still here.  How many times do we look back on past situations?  When we look back we tend to remember the positives of the situation rather than the negatives.  So let's live in the moment so we can maximize the positives and make our ordinary life to an extraordinary life.