journey-to-balance

[journey-to-balance]

A Message for Dark Times

There was a period during our civilization known as the Dark Ages that had very much to do with the fall of the Roman Empire, and the descent into chaos all across Europe and the known world at that time. It wasn't until 400 to 500 years later that other Christian churches developed on their own, away from Rome and its dictates as a central religion. It was a beautiful time, a time when some would say, Christianity worked at its best. I wanted to bring this forth into context, because in many circles, people are very concerned that something similar is happening now, and perhaps it is.

But, the one thing I keep coming across time and again when reading about the Dark Ages, was the fact that so much creativity and indeed beauty, flourished. And I think it's deep within us, deep within our psyche as human beings to seek beauty and to seek the very essence of what life on this beautiful planet means or should mean to human beings.

So, I am continually aware of this and the need to ensure that at least from this little portal, there is an abundance of beauty shared with you. That's my main drive now. This is the main driver of everything that I do here and across all my social media pages. I realize how important it is, because in times of darkness, and chaos and frustration, images of beauty and the realization that nature holds within her so much beauty, and that it's all around us, but the fear and negativity is preventing us from seeing it.

So, the need to share this, is uppermost in my mind. I try my best from using explicit language, because I do not want to be censored, but when I use the word 'darkness' know that it encompasses everything you know it to mean.

But there is an antidote, and that antidote is Mother Earth and nature. There are two very separate energies in this world at the moment. There have always been two separate energies, but one of them, the energy of darkness is rising and creating a lot of what is now infiltrating our psyche and the antidote to that is to fill our eyes, our ears, our very being with the beauty of Mother Earth. I can't explain it any better than this.

It is a very deep rooted feeling inside of me. It is a very conscious and subconscious energy and it keeps growing in me. I've said this years and years ago. You've got to hunker down, as close to Mother Earth as you can, and trust in your Creator and know that all of this will pass. All of this will pass.

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Call me stupid, or silly, or naïve, but never did I ever think something like this would happen.

I want to talk about Hurricane Helene, specifically as it relates to Western North Carolina, especially since our mainstream media doesn't seem to want to, or at least that's how it feels to me.

Truth is, my hands shake as I thumb through the pages of my photobook. Heartsick and in horror, I recall memories of The Blue Ridge Mountains, and Lower Appalachia. It was autumn of 2021, the road-trip was planned to celebrate Bernie's birthday. I didn't know it then, but this would become the last road trip I took with my beloved, my soul dog, Patch. He would pass that fall, shortly after this trip.

We made incredible memories, all thanks to the incredibly welcoming hospitality of the people of Lower Appalachia. I remember stopping in for coffee pretty much anywhere and they would welcome my dog, always with a treat, or a paw shake, or a kind word. I remember stopping in a restaurant prepared to take my food to go, and the staff encouraging me to stay, providing a table in the courtyard, bringing my golden retriever a bowl of water, and offering a micro brew that based on my tastes, they'd think I'd like. They knew my dog was family, welcomed, accommodated and earned my business. And damn it, I remember I was lost on a backwoods road after a long hike, was dangerously low on fuel, and an old man in a beat-up Chevy truck, stopped and said: "follow me, I'll show you to the nearest station."

Now, as I browse the pages of this photobook, with my memories, my priceless memories, I think of these people, not rich, not city dwellers from "New York" like me... I think of these mountain folk, simple folk, salt of the earth folk and I'm overwhelmed with emotion and horror. A hurricane? In the mountains of Western North Carolina? Unfathomable! Dear God, all my photos, Boone, Blowing Rock, Chimney Rock, idyllic dreamlike mountain villages, leveled. Route 40, I know it well, clearing it due west on my way to Tennessee, gone, leveled, under mud, people, stranded, bridges, collapsed, bucolic farmland, devastated. The images on the web, sickening, while the media remains eerily silent.

Please keep Boone, Western North Carolina and all those affected by Hurricane Helene in your hearts. It is my understanding that 911 and cell service is down, landslides have barred people from leaving, and they remain trapped. Infrastructure is down, and God knows when, how, or if these mountain towns will be able to rebuild.

Lord have mercy. I hold you up in prayer. My sincere gratitude for the memories and for showing this out of towner so much love.

Maritza

Our Journey to Balance

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Hello friend.

There are hints of autumn everywhere in New Jersey's central coast. Nature swings from one extreme to another, one moment flaunting her beautiful blue skies, with sun rays warm enough to ripen the last of my tomatoes on the vine, and then delivering rain and wind for hours so harsh that I can't help but worry while I cozy up inside.

It's getting noticeably colder day by day. Robins who had nested and reared their young once, twice and several more times in my pergola have left. The first golden leaves have appeared, and the last of the seasonal harvest have been picked. The endless summer days have come to an end. A feeling of joy overtakes me, finally a new season, my favorite season, is here.

I think we usually place high expectations on summer. Perhaps that's one of the reasons why I never liked it so much, always preferring calmer and cooler days. There were many social expectations when it came to summer, many activities were expected to fill our day, and if for some reason they weren't all fulfilled, we were left with a feeling that the season had been wasted, at least this was true for us because we raised a large family. There was never enough swims in nature, or bbq parties, or travels or hikes or social gatherings. The pressure to do more, to not "waste" the beautiful day was a constant. I feel like summer is that extroverted friend you love, but get overwhelmed with its flamboyance quite easily.

Autumn, on the other hand, is an introvert; the quiet friend you enjoy being silent with - there is no need to be loud, or to be overly communicative. At the same time, it's not simple or boring, it's full of a quiet beauty you need to really look at in order to appreciate and truly see.

A part of me comes alive as the world slows down. To me autumn is not just a season but a feeling, a rhythm, a return to something tranquil, peaceful, and grounding. I don't rush toward it, nor do I anticipate it, but I welcome it when it comes, allowing it to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.

On this particular day, I didn't feel like speaking, preferring instead to spend my time in silence. Shortly after daybreak, there wasn't a human soul in sight. I stood so still that deer carried on with their morning routine without fear. Jack stayed on the path, as exuberant and playful as ever, unaware of what my lens had encountered. Bernie shared this moment with me.

We've returned to the wood, you see. Two months after what is now a double-hip replacement surgery, Bernie has been getting stronger every day. What started as a half a mile walk to get some fresh air became one, and then two, and then three, and then four miles and so on and so forth all while I simultaneously work on my own health journey and our pup learns more recall skills in varied and more challenging environments.

Come to reflect on it, these past four years, 2020 to 2024, have been not only physically challenging, but emotionally charged as well. From my husband falling gravely ill from Covid in 2020, to me losing a dear and treasured friend, someone I considered a second mother, to losing my soul dog in 2021, to helping my husband deal with and heal from four major medical procedures, to dealing with my own health challenges and most recently learning that a friend, someone I love dearly, respect and admire, has fallen to dementia, has left me utterly gutted. It's as if I were attending a funeral without a funeral. One minute you're discussing poetry and philosophy and then ... it's over. Years of conversations and love gone. Today she couldn't recognize me in a crowd. I truly haven't come to terms with or reconciled with this new reality, yet.

We've traveled a lot these past four years, mainly to celebrate some major milestones, and while travel and adventure can be fun and exciting and a great learning opportunity, it's also a great distraction, as any outside stimuli is, away from the soul and what's really happening within.

Fall brings with it a profound sense of warmth, though, and comfort, and a return to nature only highlights this for me. With three months left to the year, I can safely say that 2024 has been about healing, in full hermit mode, with full hyper focus on our health, nutrition, daily habits and routines. It's been about growing a bigger, better, garden, and sourcing better, more nutritious real food. It's been about exercising, purging, cleansing and decluttering. It's been about letting go of distractions, temptations and outside stimuli that aren't congruent with my goals or soul's growth.

Autumn's slow embrace brings forth relief and a deep exhale just before winter's rest. The changing landscape congruent with my ever evolving emotions, and growth teaches acceptance, re-enforces discipline and a reassurance that no matter what happens, it's all for my highest good.

Maritza

Our Journey to Balance

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Midlife & Menopause: An Uncomfortable Conversation, But It Doesn't Have to be Taboo.

For many women who have been caring for and putting others first, midlife is the time when there's space to start thinking about you. You may feel compelled to make room for yourself, to live with great purpose, or to answer the call to do something big in the world. It's during this time you can begin to define what legacy you'll leave.

Midlife can be messy, but also beautiful. Many of us find we are facing new realities. Kids that are growing or are grown and may not need us like they once did, bodies that are changing, relationships that look different, time to ourselves that we haven't had in years.

Eight months into the year, I can tell you now as we wrap up August that I've already attended many funerals for the different versions of myself that no longer exist.

I've started saying 'no' clearly and more often. I don't have to say yes if it doesn't feel genuine, or to stay in somebody's good graces. I've slowed down, way down (I don't need to be everywhere at all times or be everything to all people), get 7 hours of sleep at a minimum, started prioritizing protein and breakfast after decades of skipping breakfast. I've increased my walks in nature, scheduled more time for the things that bring me joy like time to write, doubled, even tripled the level of gardening chores I do, and focused on daily gratitude and breath work.

2024 would be the year I showed up for myself. This would be the year I set mini challenges, then accomplishing them by keeping myself accountable. No more skipping meals, then binging in the afternoons, no more catering to hedonistic bad habits, like thinking I could eat what I wanted and drink what I wanted without consequences. Growing more from seed, eating more of what I grow and learning to eat more seasonally. This would be the year my health would come into hyper focus.

Now at 52, two years deep into the throws of menopause, I was experiencing shifts in weight and body composition, things like electric shock feeling, hair loss, dizziness, heartburn and indigestion, skin changes and headaches had become the norm. Heart palpitations and creepy crawly skin, along with hot flashes, fatigue and insomnia were also my new reality all leaving me feeling uncomfortable and at times defeated. I was at my heaviest, didn't feel beautiful or feminine, or productive and worse, I no longer felt healthy. I felt dirty, as though I were self sabotaging, destroying myself from the inside out. This body, this vessel, was betraying me and worse, I was betraying her. My vessel was compromised, my spirit weakened.

I didn't want a fancy diet plan, a calorie counting app, or to cut my favorite foods to be healthy. I wanted real ingredients and a healthy relationship with food. Today, I focus on cooking exclusively from scratch with simple, wholesome, in season ingredients. Was it intimidating at first? Sure. Learning a new skill always is. Now, 90% or more of our food is homemade, and from real ingredients - no dyes, no additives, or flavorings, ingredients that nourish our bodies! And, my goodness, does it taste so much better, too!

Today, I have considerably more energy throughout the day, regular bowel movements twice a day, don't crave junk, or sugar (which means considerably less inflammation), and wake up feeling refreshed.

I have gone through quite a journey this year, and have learned so much from amazing experts in the field about the importance of protein intake into our diet - how age, weight, and activity level all influence the amount of protein one needs. I love to start with a savory breakfast because it helps balance my blood sugar throughout the day. No more cravings. No more energy dip. I opt for sourdough because it's fermented longer and therefore easier to digest. I've learned to add "a little salad" to breakfast and that provides micro nutrients. I've created a disciplined morning routine, plan my meals and focus on consistency to balance my hormones. I always like to make my food pretty on the plate because the eye eats first, and this helps me to stay mindful.

Think about a decision you made in your life that changed your life completely. Visualize the person you want to be and how their life looks like. How are you showing up? What are your boundaries? Clarity is power. Clarity makes everything so much easier.

As for me, mine is an unfolding journey. Started at 210 lbs., was prediabetic, suffered through colitis, and hormonal imbalance, elevated blood pressure, carpal tunnel and arthritis. Now, at 162 lbs., my journey is far from over, but the brain fog is gone, the inflammation has considerably decreased, and my numbers are leveling out. With less resistance, less denial and less stagnancy, I'm in a better position to transmute. More importantly, I'm starting to feel like myself again, except maybe a little wiser now, definitely a lot healthier. Transformation is the name of the game. Yet again. For me, that is. And always has been.

Oh, and my biggest lesson? Call yourself out, but love yourself through it.

Maritza

Unpopular Opinion: Aging is a blessing, but aging well is a choice.

Our Journey to Balance

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This Might Be Controversial But...

Over the past 25 years we've removed 90% of our lawn and here's what happened. Chaos. Beautiful chaos.

Why did we do it?

For us it was simple. Most gardeners try to maintain these clean and sterile environments that are the exact opposite of what wildlife wants. The more we can stop being tidy, the more wilderness we can bring into our gardens and landscapes, the better habitat we provide.

We are changing the planet so quickly that plants and animals can’t keep up. I'm sharing all this with you today with the hope to spread the word about the importance of rewilding!

The majority of lawns and yards these days are causing ecological damage turning once biodiverse spaces into "green graveyards."

Did you know grass is the most irrigated "crop" in America? Yup. Lawns, not food. The majority of non native grass lawns support little to no life and require an immense amount of water and what's it all for?

Lawns originated in 17th century England and France whereby landowners would cultivate lawns around their estates as a symbol of wealth and status. Later, a boom in the United States made it to where manicured lawns became a symbol of the American Dream.

Doused with toxic chemicals to keep up with appearances, these lawns and the products used in them are displacing and eroding life all the way down to the microscopic organisms in the soil.

Today, we pay to see botanical gardens yet there's that potential in our own backyards.

Well, I'm not a 17th century aristocrat trying to show off the status of my estate.

Personally, I don't care what anyone thinks of my status. I have too much real work to do to create pointless chores for myself.

But, I'm grateful to show you what we have, in fact, created.

The insect population has skyrocketed. Birds, spiders, garden snakes and other species have moved in signaling a growing, thriving ecosystem.

Improvement in the soil quality and organic matter as well as cooled areas from canopy and mindful planting continue to be a priority.

Today we're surrounded by the constant melody sounds of the thousands of beings that call my garden home.

It's been a long 25 years, an ever evolving learning curve, but this long observation period has revived an understanding of Earth's language and how we speak it, too.

Earth said: “Let me breathe, allow me flourish, watch me grow, see my flowers in unexpected places, measure the success in hums of buzzing life, tend to my wild nature - carefully….remember the language that exists beyond words….the intuitive flow between all that exists. Remember your place within it all. "

And so we did, and we are.

We no longer have a sterile manicured lawn, we have a flourishing perennial pollinator ecological garden and we are not gardeners but stewards.

In many ways, the letting go of grass and allowing nature to go wild - is reflected in our own lives. Wanting to see what is real, what wants to come through, allowing for authentic-true expression to SHINE. And from that, beautiful things grow.

What are us humans here to do? What’s our purpose? And what does all of this mean?

Oh, and by the way, this isn’t a share demonizing the cutting of grass all together, or putting shade (no pun intended) on short grass lawns. Rather, posing the question ‘what is a lawn for’ & ‘can we find ways to create spaces that elevate our lives and the life around, simultaneously’?

As always, thank you for reading. I truly appreciate your time.

Maritza

Our Journey to Balance

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The Beauty of an Ordinary Life.

There is always beauty to be found in a normal ordinary life, but it is more obvious to me than ever in sweet summertime.

I was reflecting yesterday morning on something our family used to do when the children were little; we traveled to different states throughout the United States. The summer road trips were educational, beautiful, and fun, but in many ways, nothing really compared to ordinary life at home for me.

One thing I did love about getting out and exploring, was drawing inspiration from the surrounding landscapes. I remember taking an untold amount of photos of gardens everywhere. They were just so magical. I would daydream about recreating something like that at home someday, to have the ability to make wild arrangements with blooms cut from my own garden.

Today, one aspect of my ordinary life that I certainly don't ever want to take for granted is my pollinator garden. It isn't fancy, and it isn't always well tended to, but I know I simply couldn't fully enjoy it if I weren't spending these long, ordinary summer days at home.

What's more, some of the most enjoyable ordinary aspects of daily living such as a freshly cleaned kitchen, a sudsy bath before bedtime on a 95+ degree day, or sinking into the softness of a comfortable pillow, can be done whether you have your dream home or don't, and whether you have your dream income or don't - simple pleasures are available for everyone to enjoy.

Sometimes I think we're so overstimulated that our brains need no more than the daily simple gifts that God wired us to take pleasure in.

We planted a lot of tomato seeds this year. It's one of my favorite staples to plant, because they're some phenomenal varieties, they crowd out the weeds easily, and I can't think of a day when I don't use them in a meal. Harvesting them in huge quantities feels incredibly abundant.

Of course, I've had periods throughout my life when I haven't been so inspired by homemaking. Maybe I lost my momentum, or my rhythm. Maybe I was physically exhausted or ill, you know, on those days when I simply had to power through.

The homemaking, the ordinary aspects of life that we all have to do, like cleaning up multiple times a day, taking care of the laundry multiple times a week, getting food on the table, all feel like struggle when I am not able to have moments of beauty. For it is beauty that allows me to find the motivation to embrace all of what makes daily existence difficult.

For me, when I'm feeling down, disappointed by something or someone, and maybe not very inspired, something as simple as making a fancier breakfast, something that I've put some extra effort into, can make a difference in my day. Playing soft piano music while cooking, or even lighting a candle can be a game-changer in shifting my perspective regarding my day.

Without question, one of the most tangible, most constant ways to enjoy an ordinary life is by enjoying special food. In fact, If I've learned anything from my experiences traveling abroad over the years is how beautifully some cultures spend time creating wonderful meals, and lingering around them as they engage in conversation.

Somewhere along my career driven trajectory, at least in my little world, I hoped to divorce myself from the rushed, loud, hedonistic and chaotic path I'd followed for so long. But, that's a story for another time.

What I mean to say is, there's no end to what you can be inspired by in your home. Whether it's creating a new garden, trying your hand at baking something new, renovating or reviving a project, spending an evening reading, painting, drawing or writing like me, there's plenty of ways to enjoy these long ordinary summer days at home.

Friends, let those of us who have the privilege of living an ordinary life, especially when we consider that there are countless who have tumultuous, tragic, insecure lives, never take it for granted.

Thanks for reading these ordinary, but joyful words with me. May you find moments to enjoy, relish and savor. Maritza

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She was happy to be alive.

She didn’t have millions in the bank.

She wasn’t at the top of the

corporate ladder and still her deepest

dreams, though she pursued them,

hadn’t yet come true. But still

she was happy to be alive.

She had people to love; a roof over her head;

she had all the essentials for living;

water, gas electricity, food;

she could appreciate the flowers blooming,

the sun beaming and the skies blessing.

She had good books to read.

She spoke to the moon at night.

She often had a good sing in the shower.

And she lived her life with a touch of her own style.

The world’s mindless noise went quiet at the

sight of her relentless joy.

- S.C. Lourie

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Uncommon Advice:

If you don't know what to pursue in life right now, PURSUE YOURSELF.

Pursue becoming the healthiest, happiest, most healed, most present, most confident version of yourself.

Then, the right path will reveal itself.

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"Some people survive and talk about it. Some people survive and go silent. Some people survive and create. Everyone deals with unimaginable pain in their own way, and everyone is entitled to that, without judgement.

So the next time you look at someone’s life covetously, remember… You may not want to endure what they are enduring right now, at this moment, whilst they sit so quietly before you, looking like a calm ocean on a sunny day."

- Nikita Gill

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Constantly learning expanding and growing that's what I love about life

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This may not be true for everyone but as we get older and more mature, our silence becomes deeper, our needs become smaller, and our words become fewer.

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You're not ever going to teach them how to vibrate, nor would you want to change them all to a place of vibrating just like you. Your work is not to fix them; they are not broken.

Your work is to choose from among all of that which feels best to you, and fixate on it as long as it gives you pleasure and joy.

And in doing so, you will align with the Energy of your Source, and you will live a magnificent experience.

You just have to not let your joy depend upon what anybody else is living, cause that'll get you every time.

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It's not possible for us to love anyone, any better than we’re capable of loving ourselves.

Loving ourselves is essential for nurturing healthy relationships with others. When we prioritize self-love, we can genuinely love others from a place of authenticity and abundance. Next time when asked who you love the most, don't forget to name yourself.

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Two tomatoes are hanging together on the same branch of the same vine. One of them is ripe, while the other one needs more time to ripen. Same tree, same branch, same conditions, but the ripening time of each is different.

There is an important lesson we can learn from this.

When we see others around us achieving success while we have not, in spite of doing everything others have done, it does not mean we are unsuccessful. It simply means that the right time for us has not yet come.

Just like the tomatoes, each of us has our unique journey and pace of growth. We may be in similar circumstances, but our internal processes unfold differently. Success, whether personal or professional, doesn’t always follow a linear path. Some achieve it early, while others take longer. It’s essential to honor our individual timing.

Patience is crucial. Sometimes, we need to trust the process, even when results aren’t immediate. Trust that our efforts will bear fruit when the time is right. We must hold on and not give up out of frustration. We might just be a few days away from reaching our ripened state.

The ripe tomato didn’t give up during its growth. It faced storms, heat, and insects but persisted. Similarly, setbacks and challenges are part of life. Keep going, adapt, and stay resilient. Embrace your uniqueness. Your journey isn’t a race against others; it’s about becoming the best version of yourself.

Life is not a competition; it’s a journey. Trust your process, cultivate patience, and celebrate your growth.

Nature Heals. Nature Teaches. Nature Inspires.

Our Journey to Balance

Maritza

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Essays: 9 Roads to a Calm Mind

In the busy rhythm of modern life, keeping a quiet, calm mind seems like a quest for rare treasure. Yet, my years of practicing living slowly have taught me that calmness is an attainable state nurtured through simple and intentional practices that root us in the present, bringing us a sense of peace and acceptance.

The garden is changing by the day. Warm spring days are well on their way with new blooms popping up everywhere. I know because I observe nature closely, using it as a guide. This is my first proven way to a balanced and calm mind.

#1. Living in tune with nature and adapting her pace.

Spending time outdoors, surrounded by nature quite literally alters our brain chemistry. It lowers our anxiety, stress levels, and risk of depression.

Personally, it also makes me realize that although I am a one of a kind individual, I am also part of a greater whole, and my worries are pretty insignificant in the grand scheme of things. So I might as well take things in stride.

Hello early spring sunshine!

I feel the same about gardening. It connects me to earth's natural rhythms. In fact, gardening teaches that life unfolds in seasons and cycles. It's much easier to accept and enjoy our season of life than to force ourselves to bloom when we are not ready, or even keep on blooming when it feels like winter in our hearts.

Not all seasons of life are as glamorous as summer, but they are necessary for our development and growth.

On a lovely sunny morning after a few months of searching, I found the perfect vintage writer's desk. I resolved to give it a second, rather cozy life.

This leads me to my second point to cultivating mental peace. That is...

#2. Not chasing short lived trends. This world is designed to make us want more. New 'trends' are artificially created to make us feel like we are missing out.

There is tranquility in choosing to shop local, shop small, shop handmade, or vintage whenever possible - like the second-hand furniture shop I found on the outskirts of town just over 20 years ago and have been frequenting ever since.

Moving on...

#3. My third way to keeping mental peace is to look at things through the prism of a child.

Children are incredibly rooted in the moment, being present, without worrying about abstract or future issues. Naturally, these skills are needed in our life, but sometimes dark thoughts can draw any light away from our world.

This is when we should take an example from our children and focus on the here and now.

#4. Practicing self-care that includes physical movement is my fourth way to keeping a calm mind.

Did you know that our body can store stress and worries?

It will show up as aches and pains, stiffness, and tension.

Something as simple as daily walks with my dog help me to release physical tension which in turn alleviates my mental stress.

I'm a passionate advocate for physical movement because it cultivates self awareness and encourages kindness toward ourselves.

#5. On that vein, I emphasize self-forgiveness and avoiding overthinking.

We all have been in a situation when we did or said something out of place... or at least we believe it so.

Nothing will clutter our mind and take away our mental peace like beating ourselves over and over about the past, or often, even a small thing.

Practicing self-forgiveness and silencing an overactive mind is the way to encourage a healthier internal dialogue where calmness can flourish.

I deeply believe that our homes influence our inner state.

It's never been about having a Pinterest worthy house, but making our homes a cozy, and safe environment, and that leads me to

#6. A peaceful, uncluttered house, a clean house, acts as a buffer against external chaos, becoming a retreat where we can recharge and reflect.

In addition to aesthetics, a peaceful home environment means prioritizing surrounding ourselves with people with whom we can be ourselves and are accepted for who we are, thus living in a welcoming, nurturing environment where we feel safe, heard, respected without our boundaries being crossed.

#7. Maintaining a small, supportive circle, surrounding ourselves with a close-knit community, be it family, friends, neighbors or even kind and caring co-workers, provides emotional security and a sense of belonging which are essential elements for mental peace.

In our modern world we are becoming more and more isolated, making it all the more important to maintain real-life contact, even if its the act of exchanging a simple "hello" with a neighbor or engaging in a small chat with one of the many people who provide a service to us on a daily basis.

#8. Planning Ahead. Having some sort of plan really helps maintain a peaceful and calm mind.

Understanding our finances, knowing exactly when our bills are due, and living within our means really goes a long way in helping to put our minds at rest. The same can be said for having a clear list of any appointments and to do's.

We sleep better knowing that important dates are all in our calendar, not having to rely on committing something to memory all the time which only creates stress and mental clutter.

#9. Finally, I'd say my ninth way to seeking calm is to stay selective and stay private, choosing to stay in my lane, and in my business.

Friend, I've gotten to the point in my life where I don't care who's mad, why they're mad, and who they're actively recruiting to be mad with them.

It's peaceful over here.

Remember, whatever we're not changing, we're choosing.

I wish us many blessings, and peace.

Essays - 9 Roads To a Calm Mind - Our Journey to Balance

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Vines grow on the walls of our old house. They all look like memories.

Poetic Musings - Our Journey to Balance

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Rainy days have a special way of making us feel cozy, calm, and peaceful.

On days when it rains, it's easy to find joy in simple things - baking, reading, enjoying a warm drink, or gentle movement.

It's a reminder that our good mood doesn't have to depend on the weather. Instead, happiness is something we choose for ourselves.

Rainy, misty days are one of my favorites. I often opt to draw open the curtains, prop open the windows in order to enjoy the moment. Listening to the softly falling rain can be therapeutic for me.

In fact, the American Heart Association did a study where it showed how listening to rain has a calming and soothing effect on our nervous system.

I recall one particularly gray, moody afternoon. My dog and I took to the nearby trails. Walking through the forest, listening to the gentle tapping of rain on decaying leaves, it was easy to imagine being a character in a gothic novel.

That's because when the rain pours down, it's akin to the world slowing down, inviting us to step back from the hustle and bustle.

Rainy days remind us that in a world that's always rushing, true wealth lies in a quiet and calm mind.

The first signs of spring are especially welcomed on a rainy day.

Imagine looking our your window to the snowdrops below, with a warm cup of coffee in your hand.

I don't live in a fairy-wood thatched cottage, but I appreciate my quiet neighborhood and enjoy the sound of raindrops gently pattering on the window.

Rainy days are good for the soul.

In acknowledging how rain nourishes the natural world, we recognize how we should spend time tending to ourselves.

I started reading Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard, by Douglas W. Tallamy. The title already makes me love this book.

I haven't finished the book yet, so I'll wait to recommend it, but the principle that we should garden to save ecosystems right in our own backyard is something I deeply agree with and try to practice in my own life. In fact, I've done so for years.

This isn't a new concept, in fact, it's one of the oldest practices.

Anyway, I digress. I heard it said once that there is no bad weather, we are simply not dressed well enough. Perhaps, that's true.

Besides, would we truly appreciate sunny days without knowing gray skies?

It's the contrast between the calming energy of rain and the invigorating energy of the sun that makes us appreciate both.

Rainy Days - Essays - Our Journey to Balance