This morning for the first time this season, I felt chilly went I let the dogs outside. I say a thank you to God for the weather and linger outside for a few minutes. When the dogs come back in, I close the door and start opening drapes to let the clear day sun send sunshine into the house. Since it is so nice, I think I will do some outdoor chores. Getting outside more is a big part of feeling good. In particular, going outside is a way of combatting depression or seasonal blues.
Outside.
I’m living larger by getting outside more like I did as a kid.
When I was growing up, we were outdoors more than in. My whole family sat outside, or raked leaves, went to ballgames, and watched sunsets on a regular basis. We were campers, outdoor grillers, and always had a ball in our hands of some kind. It was an outdoor life.
I’ve been writing about the need for breaking out of our bland routines, and adding excitement and magic, so I am practicing what I preach by intentionally spending more time outdoors.
There is magic outside.
When we enter a new season, it is the best time to participate in that season’s activities. Before you are tired of the weather or the associated chores, get outside and participate. For example, while you are still excited about say, leaves changing and falling, go outdoors and do fall things!
From my post on excitement, outside the everyday norm :
“..choose some things to do outside our norm, and do them not as an escape, but as adventure and sensory awakening. We need to be aware of adding more excitement through nature, stimulating conversation, and active punctuations in our everyday existence that will wake us up and keep us living.”
On the magic of being outside:
To make us feel alive, we need to add some punctuation, some wow. Magic in our everyday is the key to staying awake in our lives.
“You have the ability to punctuate your life with moments of the heady and divine. You can intentionally participate in the special moments. Allow some wonder, find the awe. Create the extraordinary with travel and experiences, but most of all, be aware of the magic all around you in your day to day.”
On living awake, beyond the ordinary:
The cold weather wakes me up too. I just feel better. Last night we gathered around the fire pit. One of the grands looked up and said, “I see a star.” We all leaned back in our chairs and looked up too. Then, we watched the stars appear one by one. With the fire going and all bundled up in blankets and long sleeves, it was my first star gazing moment with the grands this fall. “Intentionally live this day. Be aware of its value. Wake up and don’t let it go by unacknowledged. Awaken.”
On getting rid of the indoor brain suckers:
I’ve written about TV addiction, food or drug crutches, boredom, bland life, and depression. Often, these things are inter-related. If you spend more than a couple hours a night watching TV or too much time using a crutch, you are probably missing out on real life. It is much more fun to live life yourself, free of mind altering depressors.
Depression has some bedfellows, so kick them to the curb. Like any bad habit, TV stimulates negative activity in your mind. There is so much research on this modern phenomena, I don’t want to get into it. But, just think about it and turn it off.
Additionally, all the other constant media overload in our lives affects the brain. For me, it is vital to reduce media such as my cell use. As someone with the central nervous system disorder fibromyalgia, anything affecting brain chemistry, mood, or our sensory input is suspect. Eliminate media overload.
Plan some outings. Spend some evenings outdoors. Try eating dinner without background noise and walk outside afterwards for a few minutes with the kids.
Protect your brain, and feed your inner man with all things positive, happy, and encouraging. Most of all get outside and live larger.
I’ll see you outside. Hope you find something to do outside on the next beautiful day.
Barefoot and living,
Kim
Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them”; and it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind; and God saw that it was good.
Childhood wonder sends us outside to find the magic.
No Comments