Find Your Bliss

Have you ever had one of those weeks? You know the ones I mean. Where its Wednesday but you could swear it had to be Friday. Or, the several days in a row where you nearly had to schedule bathroom time just so you got it in. Yep. I’ve had one of those weeks and I am grateful it is nearly over.

Having weeks like this makes me feel profoundly ungrounded. I can’t seem to pull myself together and feel as if I am always out of breath going from one thing to another. This leaves me seeking ways to unwind.

I haven’t so much as discovered the need as I’ve hungered for nature. I don’t always know I am seeking it until a breeze hits my face or I am in the presence of water, both of which have the ability to ground me back to myself. When that happens, I stop completely and just breathe. This is a new experience for me though I’ve enjoyed nature in the past. To see trees and rocks and grass feels like coming home.

At this moment, I am away from home and yet still feel this need. I was pleasantly surprised to discover an oasis in the middle of my hotel. I spent some time in this space, writing and reading, mostly alone, but, more importantly, uninterrupted.

Though not visible in the photos, part of this garden is a koi pond. Because the courtyard is opened to the sky, the fish are covered by a net so the birds that fly in don’t carry them away. Even they are left in peace.

This oasis has all the greenery, water and a bit of sunshine that I could have asked for. The one thing that I wished was for a breeze. I didn’t expect it as this is a courtyard but somehow, as I sat reading in the quiet, a small breeze came down and brushed my face. Bliss.

How do you find your bliss?