5. Spend time outside
For two months I was mostly content to watch the clouds and birds from my window.
On June 3rd I got outside!
The enormous smiley buttercups were blethering with me along with the blackbird and her shiny matching yellow beak.
The blades of grass were long and pointy enveloping me in a friendly barricade of peace and calm.
Yes, I was out the back door at the ‘bin sheds.’
Total bliss!
As time went on and Paolo was home from Italy, we were able to walk a wee bit further.
Getting outside became like a transcendental experience.
However, physical dips meant that I would have more prolonged periods of rest.
Gradually I learned with the help of Caroline a NHS Pulmonary Specialist that no matter how my body was -I just had to get downstairs and get outside.
Yes, I know, you think with everything I knew that I would know just to get outside and as often as I could!
A Joyworks event would not be complete without mentioning the importance of this.
Goodness, I even spoke about it on STV for Blue Monday, but the fear of how my body would be afterwards meant I was rationing the transcendence!
I remember the first day I decided to just wrap up and sit out the back in the blue recliner chair my sister gave me in the summer.
I read a book as the wind bit my cheeks and the magpie kept me company as he chipped away at a coconut ball.
I was the happiest!
An hour later I came upstairs and felt that I had had a grand night out with my friends.
It reminded of the lovely quote by ― Henry David Thoreau
Happiness is like a butterfly, the more you chase it, the more it will evade you, but if you notice the other things around you, it will gently come and sit on your shoulder.”
During a fabulous Reset course with my dear friend Kanchi, I was reminded of how profound it was to be outside with the sunrise and the sunset -no matter what the weather.
I love the days I do this.
We are not supposed to live in boxes, be indoors and on screens.
Will you schedule getting outside today?
See if you can extend the time even longer.
You will not regret it.
Yes, even in this weather!
And if you really cannot get outside do invest in a sunlamp and have it by your side.
My wee sister bought mine as a gift around 12 years ago and it is still going strong!
Now I thank my lucky stars that I can look up to the clouds while I am walking and give thanks and trust that I am guided.
Perhaps you could do that too?
