I will recall spring 2020 as “our beautiful terrible spring”. Washington’s weather has been spectacular. So many of us are outside soaking up the beauty of the blossoming world. And yet, the “why” that so many of us are outside, so often, speaks to this difficult time in our lives; we are well aware, too, that this spring will be with us forever.

One evening last week, I left the office feeling wrung out after a late evening of paperwork. I’m a clinician! Using my hands to help people heal is my bliss. Using my hands on the computer, not so much. It was a relief to walk out into the fresh night air even though the roads were too quiet. On went the car radio and I nearly burst into tears when I heard the Brandenburg Cello Concertos performed by the Knights, a NY chamber orchestra. I love cello music. This recording was a balm for my soul.

 

When sitting down to a meal, sometimes I remember to pause for a moment of quiet, or grace, or read a poem. Unbelievably, the poem for that particular date was Mary Oliver’s poem Wild Geese, another gift, and a special coincidence. Well-known and well-loved by so many people, this poem has been in my reception room for more than 16 years.

While having supper, I read in the newspaper a beautiful reflection about the writer’s experience of the first livestream of a previously recorded concert by the Seattle Symphony that was watched by nearly 90,000 people! Perhaps you have enjoyed a concert, or dance, or the visual arts now so readily available online, sustaining us. My breathing got even easier, appreciating that so many performing and visual artists are bringing their gifts to us.

In the midst of tragedy, grief, stress, it is common to check-out, or just put our heads down and keep going. Sometimes our senses sharpen and we find ourselves deeply moved and more available to moments of beauty, joy, and gestures of kindness. Often it is both, and it has been like this for me in the past month. That evening last week was so rich. It was all right there–the tense weariness, music and poetry, quiet.

As our beautiful, terrible spring transitions into summer, I hope you will discover some tiny bits of joy or beauty or rest here and there, whatever that looks like for you. One way that helps me feel less squeezed in and more spacious from the inside out is a “lie-down”, also called Active Rest. I’ve recorded a 12 minute audio guiding you through this easy activity that helps you breathe easier, release unwanted muscle tension and experience improved postural support.

Our body is our treasure and Active Rest is a powerful means of self-care. For a personalized pathway to optimal health, contact me now. Stress happens, but we can minimize it’s impact. I can teach you how, and guide you through these challenging times, so you can stay strong and resilient.