Good day to you all. I find myself reflecting on this day as the rains fall and the fog just on the horizon of the valley bellows into town. It’s a nice way to begin stillness and honor the day. As many of us live in places whose seasons limit our time outside we may find that our usual walks and outings that we enjoyed in the warmer weather are slowly becoming less available to us.
What we do to continue this rhythm of being with nature and in concert with our body is an important part of staying healthy through the season. We can bring the outside into our spaces while finding opportunities to be with nature when we can.
Inviting nature indoors: We can take elements of what makes our natural environment rhythmic and nurturing and bring them into our living space to stay in rhythm with nature and our bodies. Several props are available to us with this season of tranquility and it does us good to make use of them with the intention of continuing our healthy path.
Music: Sift through your music and see what you have been listening to. If many of the artist have been of one genre take a moment to look online for some tranquil, what is often called mood music. Call on elements of nature and look for music that has compilations with reference to the season. Perhaps it will include the rhythm of water flow, the gentle breeze of a day, the sound of crackling fire or the sounds of nature calls from birds. Choose what works for you and spend time listening.
I enjoy CD’s still, yes old-fashioned but the act of choosing CD and hearing it stream through the house really is part of it for me. I have found great compilations through Putumayo series and Sounds True to name a few.
Inspirational Teachings: Taking spirituality or inspiration into your day is a part of caring for your body and mind. Opportunities to be in communion with teaching that speak to gentleness and peace impart us with the rhythm and flow of our lives in a state of tranquil awareness. This does us good for our bellies in particular which often house our emotions of fear, pain and anxiety. Find a source of inspiration that speaks to you. Here are a few that I have enjoyed in the years that are easily accessible.
Daily Om is one that is accessible to all via email. They send daily thoughts for consideration. Another famous one is TUT which sends “notes from the universe” by take on a different rhythm and tone. The Sounds True also has compilations of inspirational teachings.
Candles and Elements of Nature: Create a sanctuary in your living space that is set aside to be in the presences of nature and peace. You can do this by selecting a particular spot in your house or just invite elements into different parts of your home. Gather pieces of nature as the season progress and have them as visual elements. Pine cones, bits of wood, cranberries, gourds and shrubbery can be festive while creating a sense of natures beauty. Placing some dried herbs or fruits into clear vase around the house. Small pebbles and stones can be placed into a spiral and serve as a meditative element. Including candles and soothing lighting in your home as you go into your evening is another way to mirror nature in its element of light and dark that can help bring a calming end to your day.
Finding opportunities to enjoy indoor spaces and places for our renewal is important to keeping our bodies and minds in health. When our bodies and minds have a space that invites us to be at peace we find ourselves in balance.
During this season of thanks and gratitude do yourself well to take time to reflect on creating spaces that call to you.
In health,
Safara
