Sticks and Stones Heal the Soul: 3 Ways to Take a Meaningful Break
Finding joy in meditation and life
“Now I see the secret of making the best person- it is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth.” ~ Walt Whitman
Last week was spring break for my son. Although I did some writing, I was able to experience some time off. Writing three days a week and exploring the other two days brought my soul alive.
I am so grateful I got to explore this schedule fully because now I know a good recipe for my happiness.
The balance between writing, creating, and resting became a reality. My son felt joy in staying up late to design games. I found my heart fulfilled with having more time to explore.
I want to share with you three ways in which I found bliss. These are different methods to meditate or contemplate in your free time. I found I do better with movement-oriented mediations. If you are like me, these might help.
Find Beauty in the Ordinary:
One of my favorite moments last week happened on a sunny Friday afternoon. We have a large patch of ground covered with river rocks near our fire pit in the garden.
Through the fall and winter, I collected twigs and sticks that I placed in a large pile. We used up most of those to make a fire. However, there were still many scattered on the ground amongst the stones.
I delighted in sitting there in the sun, picking up little twigs and placing them into a bag. It was a peaceful meditation, looking for the next little piece of wood to save for the fire.
As I sifted and sorted amongst the rocks, I felt such joy.
It brought me back to the days where I used to go on walks with my grandpa Art. He and my grandma Marion lived in our basement apartment during our growing-up years.
He loved to take short walks up and down our long country driveway. Sometimes I would stop to pick some flowers or observe a plant.
I love how towards the end of the walk, my grandpa would say: I am running out of steam. It signaled that he needed to take a rest.
I knew that was my cue to take a rest too.
We all need to rest and contemplate. Picking up sticks in amongst stones brought me to a place of joy. It felt like my grandpa was right there, smiling at me.
How can you do a meditation out in nature?
Care For Your Hands:
Yesterday afternoon I got out my manicure tools. For more than a year, all I had done was trim my nails and sometimes paint them with a clear polish.
However, yesterday I decided to give my hands some loving care.
Our hands allow us to create, and so we need to take good care of them. Treating yourself to a home manicure is a great way to slow down and take a break.
I took out a bowl and filled it with warm, soapy water. First, I trimmed and filed my nails. Then I gently pushed back the cuticles, and I soaked them in warm, soapy water.
After that, I polished them with a fun, bright pink color and finished them off with a clear coat.
It is a delight to see my painted nails throughout the day. It is a reminder that I care for myself and my hands. Not only did it create a moment of joy and rest, but it also helped me care for myself.
How can you care for your hands?
Sweep It All Away:
Yesterday while my husband and son were busy playing an online game with a group, I decided to do some sweeping.
I use the vacuum from time to time, but sweeping is a gentle way to take care of the dust and dirt.
We have a lot of wood floors in our home. Only two rooms still have carpet. I love the way that a simple broom helps make all of our rooms cleaner and brighter.
Sweeping is another way for me to meditate on life and my days. It is relaxing, and I am also cleaning at the same time.
When I get out a broom, I can sweep away any worries I have.
I went from room to room, and on the stairs, and in the hallway. It was energizing and restful all at the same time.
How can you gently sweep your cares away?
My prayer for you today is that you look for ways to take breaks, meditate and gently focus on what matters to you. You will find that just a few minutes of contemplative activity can take you to another realm.
Day #7: How can you find ways to meditate, contemplate and take breaks?
Here is a video on the ways you can meditate, rest and contemplate:
I am tagging my beautiful friends on Medium who have followed me on my past journeys. I ask that you follow them in return and read their amazing writing:
Dr. Preeti Singh, Michele Thill, Tony Young, Jr., Charlotte Zobeir Ali, Amy Marley, Gurpreet Dhariwal, Desiree Driesenaar, Neha Sandhir S, Melissa Bee, Vishnu*s Virtues, Rasheed Hooda, Karen Madej, Tree Langdon, Joe Luca, Terry Mansfield, Noma Dek, Cocoa Griot, Annelise Lords, Nihan Kucukural, Henery X, Sherry S, Aurora Eliam, CMP, Lanu Pitan, Annick Batamuliza, Bob Jasper, Jenine Bsharah Baines, Rebecca Romanelli, Ashley Nicole, and many more! Thank you!
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