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Year Four, Day 38: The Healing Power of Trees



I have a book on hold at the county library. It is called The Japanese Art of Forest Bathing by Yoshifum Miazaki.

I believe I have blogged about forest bathing before.

"Forest bathing, also known as shinrin-yoku, is the Japanese practice of connecting deeply with nature. It is a practice that involves all the senses and has ... effects on health and happiness ... Nature meets modern science in [this] illustrated book about the healing power of trees"--Amazon.com.

I am looking forward to reading this book. It is not yet available.  But I thought about forest bathing this morning. As I walked through the park toward the Vine bus stop.  I was half way through the park when it hit me.  I actually stopped dead in my tracks. I breathed deeply. Into the clear morning stillness. I heard birds singing. I felt a gentle wind. I heard the sounds of the lawn mowers. I saw a young man swinging slowly to and fro on the swing set. I wondered about him. His head was down to his chest. 

As I got closer, I saw that he was looking at his cell phone.  So much for the healing power of nature! LOL

But the trees. I looked at them as I passed. And I felt a surge of love. And nostalgia. I walked up to one strong sturdy pine, and lay my hand on it's rough bark.  I inhaled deeply.  I remembered so many summers as a young girl, sitting under a tree. Reading a book.  

I thought of all the times I have sought shade from the heat. Shelter from the rain.  

Then I thought of death.  Most morbid am I!

But in a circle of life, gentle way.  As people, animal, plants die, our remains go into the soil. The same soil where the trees put down their roots.  I had a moment of profundity, right there at the edge of the park.  

And it has not passed. I boarded the Vine. I was lucky enough to make it downtown in time to catch the #105 I-5 Express.  Usually it is too long of a wait.  I like the 105 because it entails less transfers. But with the bridge work, there is a bit of lingering in traffic.

Today, I was grateful for the traffic. I caught up on the news. Well, I began to catch up. I have not had a clear enough mind to focus on the news in a long time. And the political shenanigans frankly turn me off.

But I opened Twitter and discovered an interesting piece about the conflict between Canada and Saudi Arabia.  My head feels amazingly clear.  I am reading again, and comprehending.  I am so happy about this!

I was feeling so much brain fog, that I feared I would never come back to life!  I am paying more attention to behaviors that signify addictions, or any mindless activity that takes me away from the present moment. From living my life as God planned.

But today, in this moment, I feel clear!

I am looking forward to the next two days. My daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter, Grace are on a short vacation up near Mt. Hood.  So I am alone with Honey Dog.  I plan to do much Middle Eastern cooking! Majadera, tabbouli and maybe even some chicken shawarma. In the crockpot. We are in for a heat wave!

I am going to clean my room. And finally organize my belongings which I have not really done since the move.

And I am going to practice the piano. And just play for pleasure.

I am going to go to the gym. And sit in the hot tub afterwards.

And I am going to find a nice tree to sit under in the park. And read many books.  Including Fox Hunt, It will fit in with my Middle Eastern food.  It has proved to be quite a page turner!

On that note, I wish you a happy Tuesday.

I will talk to  you tomorrow!

Love,

Zita




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