Tag Archives: peace

Hug Trees, Clean up the Seas, Save the Bees!

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I saw this on Facebook today and I thought it summed things up nicely! When things get rough out there go out into the woods and just breathe. Find the biggest tree and sit awhile, embracing its energy. Sink your feet in the earth and call out its name. Thank the tree for still being there. Be grateful it has survived all these years, through fires, drought, massive rain runoff and abuse of people in general.

If you are near the ocean, take a walk on the beach with your bag and pick up plastic and debris. Dispose of it afterwards in the appropriate bins. Find a spot on the beach and sit for a while. Watch the waves and harmonize with them. Say hello to the little birds and critters in the sand.

Plant your garden with pollinators and welcome the bees, even if you are a little afraid of them. They are our friends and keep our plants and food alive! Get rid of the wasps that try to take over their habitat. Let them be at peace and do their work.

Be grateful for all of the creatures, plants, and trees that we still have out there on this planet. Yes, we lose things every day, but there are still those places that survive despite our undoing. Tread lightly on these vast arid landscapes and keep it alive.

We can live in harmony with nature if we slow down and give it a chance. We can appreciate the beauty outside if we appreciate the beauty inside each of us. Everyone needs a sacred space to go to, even if it is a small one in your backyard. That is what I am creating, a little bit at a time. Can you say that you are doing the same thing in yours?

I am at peace tonight, finishing up my work, and listening to the birds and creatures outside (although a little malice towards that very loud crow!) with promises of a beautiful summer ahead.

“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us. And the world will live as one.”― John Lennon

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”
― Jimi Hendrix

I love you all and wish you well!

Coping with Anxiety: My Journey and the 333 Rule

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Whenever my anxiety flares-up I dream some really weird dreams about driving along a treacherous road. (Quite the metaphor, huh?)
-Usually it is along a mountainous path that is very narrow or one-laned. It is not paved and the car coming towards me is always driving fast like a bat out of h*ll.
-Another dream had me driving up the snow-covered rocks on a narrow rock path in the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. (It doesn’t exist that I know of!)
-Other times it is a return to my driver’s education test from my early driving years on, you guessed it, dirt roads in my neighborhood in our small southern countryside, or around the courthouse the next town over.

But last night was different. It was a combination of my southern routes with the windy dirt roads, but in the mountains of Colorado. I was in a hurry to get somewhere and took a shortcut. The road was all lumpy, like someone had churned up the dirt with a plow and left it that way. Clods of dirt were piled up and underneath them was soft and sandy dirt. It was hard to get over in my little Subaru Crosstrek, but I was persevering until I came to a rock wall, similar to the Garden of the Gods type of wall. (What an imaginative and weird combination, right?)

I got out of the car and walked around and then looked for a way to get out. Then I walked back down the road and heard singing. When I looked over the ledge, I saw a band setting up and playing with the rock wall against their backs. And I saw my friend Karen sitting there listening to the band. She looked around and said, “What took you so long?” And then I woke up.

My friend is out of town, so she was on my mind. I always worry a little about them because they take amazing trips, but to places that are a little scary sometimes, at least, that’s what I think when she describes them to me. I guess I’m just a worrier at heart.

So, I have been pondering ways to cope with anxiety. I have been writing more, exercising more, meditating, reaching out to friends, and trying to stay in the present moment (mindfulness). I also read about the 333 Rule:
Identify three objects;
Listen for three sounds you hear; and
Move three parts of your body.
The 333 rule helps people focus on the present moment and distract from anxious thoughts. It’s based on mindfulness, which is a way of being aware of the present without judgment. 

The 333 rule is a mindfulness technique that can help people feel calmer and more focused when they’re feeling anxious. It can be used anywhere, anytime and doesn’t require any supplies or speaking. Finally, you can repeat it as many times as needed.
For more information go to: Healthline.com
Other strategies can include:
Keep a journal;
Get enough sleep;
Avoid excess caffeine (don’t know if I can do that one);
Challenge negative thoughts;
Forgive yourself; and
Try to put things in perspective

For more information on being anxious, see these articles:
Prevention.com
Goodhousekeeping.com

So remind yourself that it’s okay to stop worrying. Work through why that makes you so anxious if you stop. Take a deep breath and do something fun, like making homemade chicken broth, pouring it over some ramen and vegetables and slurp it up! So delicious and comforting. I love you all and send warm hugs to everyone who has to be out in this weather!