I passed by a fountain during my lunch break walk. I thought, “That fountain looks so happy!” What does that even mean? How can a fountain be happy? Because the water was gushing out unabashedly. It didn’t care how messy it was. It wasn’t self-conscious about what others thought of how it expressed itself. It … Continue reading What is Joy?
Tag: Nature
School-Life Balance
Previously I wrote about school-live balance evolving into work-life balance. I do think schools can do better at helping people have school-life balance, in allowing for time for hobbies and down time. I also know I did play a couple sports and was on college bowl and mock trial and model UN—not all of them … Continue reading School-Life Balance
Birds Chirping
One morning this weekend, I listened to the chirping of the birds outside my house for 30 minutes as the sun rose. I recalled the trip my mom took my brother and me on to South America where we watched birds flying in their natural habitat in the outskirts of the Amazon rainforest and even … Continue reading Birds Chirping
Cherishing the Outdoors During Social Distancing
I'm very grateful that social distancing is happening during the rebirth of spring. The world is in crisis, but the trees are glowing in their greenery and flowers of red, orange, and pink are blossoming abundantly. It truly raises my spirits in this difficult time. The past few days my tot and I have been … Continue reading Cherishing the Outdoors During Social Distancing
The Sabbath: A National Day of Mindfulness
This afternoon, spending time with my toddler daughter in nature, I started humming to myself. I made up a tune inspired by the greenery and flowers that surrounded me in the beautiful spring weather. I felt so present, so peaceful. And I thought about how these magical moments that I come upon feel like Shabbat: … Continue reading The Sabbath: A National Day of Mindfulness
Outdoor Workouts Abound As Gyms Close
I miss the gym, but I am enjoying seeing more people on the street—jogging, going for walks. It's lovely, especially with spring blossoming around us. I'm also enjoying my outdoor jogs, which I hadn't done for quite a while. When you work out outdoors, you get the endorphins of the exercise, as well as the … Continue reading Outdoor Workouts Abound As Gyms Close
Differentiating Between My Inner Child and My Actual Child
When we started social distancing last week, I was confused. We decided on no playdates, but neighborhood walks seemed okay. We kept our distance when speaking to people, even my toddler daughter did. There was one time though that as we were chatting, a child picked up a bug, which my daughter soon after picked … Continue reading Differentiating Between My Inner Child and My Actual Child
Gym Session and Birds
Just as healing as my morning gym session are the tweets of the birds up in the trees that I hear as I enter and exit the gym. #bepresent #nature #powerofthepause
Fear Versus Anxiety: The Outdoors Reminds Us of Our Vulnerability
As I held my toddler daughter to my chest at the sound of thunder, I felt that visceral fear of the elements. We are so guarded in our homes, yet we have other fears in life. That visceral fear was refreshing—it is pure, evolutionarily programmed fear. Unlike the racing thoughts in my mind all the … Continue reading Fear Versus Anxiety: The Outdoors Reminds Us of Our Vulnerability
Reciting Morning Blessings in Nature
There is a sequence of Jewish prayers in the morning. I grew up saying them, continued into my young adulthood and then stopped due to having new responsibilities as a young professional as well as feeling a need to let go of my childhood religious rituals. But I still from time to time say these … Continue reading Reciting Morning Blessings in Nature
