A Practice to Bring Well-Being and Solace 

This feels like such a tense, fraught time. Elections, a war, inflation, global warming. Take your pick of pressing anxiety-producing issues.

For this blog, I offer a practice that has always provided me with a sense of serenity and/or solace. Here is some context, when I was growing up, whenever I felt angry, sad, or stressed, I went for a walk. Now I start my day with a walk, something my dog loves (and needs) too. I can start my day with this activity, but I don’t think the time of day makes a difference.

Here is a description of the practice because it’s not just putting one foot in front of the other. I use my senses to get out of my head. Visually, I look, I mean with focus, first at the sky. What color blue (there are many shades of blue), or what color is the sky, or kind of clouds are in the sky? And then, what do I pass, houses, trees, a landscape? How has it changed, or not? Next, what do I hear? Birds? Vehicles? A breeze in the trees? Voices? And then, what do I smell? Foliage, fallen leaves, flowers, wet pavement, exhaust fumes, or laundry? Every season has its distinct sense of light and color, sounds, and odors. And these change, subtly as a season shifts.  

Focusing on the sights, sounds, and scents that I take in and observe opens me up to be in the present moment.  It also opens me to the natural world around me. I find this practice settles and grounds me. It’s easier to gain a broader perspective on events and issues in my life. And even more, this practice reminds me that I am a part of the natural world, not separate.

I offer this practice to you, and hope that it can bring you a deeper sense of well-being and perspective, or at least some solace!