There are numerous distractions within a car that I didn't even realize. I have my radio, dealing with other drivers around me, phone calls, traffic, stop lights, road work, speed limits, etc. There are times when you just have so much on your mind you are completely focused on your thoughts and don't take the time to take a breath and relax.
I got home from a long day of school and work yesterday (those of you who have read past posts on my blog know that I am a workaholic and a full-time student) and went on YouTube to find some music that would relax me. Of course I picked some songs that made me sing along and dance around in my seat but nothing to wind me down from a long day and more long days to come.
THEN I thought about the beautiful wetlands i passed on my way home from school. I felt like it was the first time I had ever seen them even though I have been driving that same route for the passed year and a half now. I decided that sounds of nature would relax me right now; and it did. The sound of the the violin, guitar and piano soothed me just like my mom would on night that there were thunderstorms outside. I closed my eyes and thought of the time that I lived in Virginia and woke up to the sun rising over the mountains and seeing the deer grazing in my front lawn. I would walk outside and sit with my two dogs and listen to the small creek running through my property and enjoying the view of the valley from my backyard.
I can's believe all this left me when I moved back up to Boston from Roanoke, VA. I understand that both these areas are at two totally opposite spectrums of the scale.
*BOSTON*
- BIG hustling bustling city.
- Population of 618,868.
- Lively with night life.
- Freedom Trail.
- Rich historical background.
- Different cultures coming together.
- College and University town.
- Economically advanced.
- Numerous opportunities for careers.
- Parks and squares (i.e. Boston Common, Harvard Square, local city parks and reservations surrounding Boston).
*ROANOKE*
- BIG beautiful valley in the county.
- Population of 94.982.
- Beautiful walking trails.
- Fun community activities.
- Focus on High school and College sports.
- Large parks and squares.
- Blue Ridge Parkway and conservation for people to ENJOY nature.
I know that there is a big difference between Roanoke and Boston, but I can't believe that I don't take the time to appreciate nature. Coming home last night and running into the house while getting soaked in the pouring rain and the sound of the rain hitting on my windowsill made me think of nature like I did when I was in Roanoke.
When I found this song it made me think back; I did get to close my eyes and relax! This is what my goal was! after the song was over I opened my eyes and drew in a fresh breath of air and felt like a whole new person. I am usually one with nature. When I was a sophomore in High school I worked for the Blue Ridge Parkway as a YCC (youth conservationist).
I think people are so caught up in their lives and everything that is happening in it that they cant take a step back and take in a small pleasure like nature. Some peoples lives are more hectic and stressful than mine. They have families to raise and take care of, bills to pay, errands, and with all that there is stress.
Why do we not take time to respect and appreciate nature? When we were children we would go to the park and climb trees, pick flowers, build a crazy imaginative world where we are rulers of the forest and everything is enchanted. Well maybe you didn't, but I did.
Nature surrounds us. It is everywhere...
Nature is relaxing, inviting, comforting, and everything good. You can go for a walk and get away from your everyday worries and take a moment to yourself. Nature has a way of nurturing you; you can take a walk on a wooded trail and release yourself within nature. Nature will never turn you away, it will never disrespect you and it will never harm you. If you look back in literature, almost all stories talked about man with nature. What happened to that.
I can't believe my mind is now running wild about nature and how much we as a people have changed. All these thoughts are based off one relaxing song that made me go back to the time I lived in Roanoke. I can admit that I too have pulled myself away from nature. With all that goes on in my life, I didn't realize what I was doing; I don't want to loose my ties with nature.
Think about it: when was the last time you took time for yourself and stepped away from your busy life and took a walk and relaxed? When have you taken the time to listen to the breeze and the birds chirping around you? Have you recently taken a walk and enjoyed all the beautiful smells of the flowers and enjoyed sitting under the shade of a large comfortable tree?
Loose yourself in NATURE for a moment. Do it for your health. Do it to lower your stress and take a moment for relaxation.
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