In-touch-ness

When a woman moves away from nature
 her heart becomes hard. - Lakota saying

One of the troubles with the weather getting hotter is that I find myself spending less and less time outside. Humidity, blazing sun, and hot blowing wind just does not make a pleasant environment for this pasty, curly haired girl! And, because of this, I have noticed that my spirit has been waning a bit and especially in its emotional in-touch-ness. [yeah, not a real word but fitting]. 

Even though last week I came across the Lakota saying above, it didn't strike a cord with me until Saturday afternoon when I found myself on the couch sobbing my eyes out. I was emotionally spent and realized I'd not taken a real break to catch my breath in a few weeks. Can you relate?
 
American naturalist, John Burroughs once said, "I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order." How true! When I'm in nature, I feel I'm spending the deepest time with God and I come back soothed and healed. So to protect my emotional health and creative spirit, I made a decision. Each day that I can...and I hope to do it more days than not... I am going to be intentional about spending at least 10 minutes outside, 10 minutes being creative, and 10 minutes just stretching and breathing. Maybe I'll go outside on the back porch and write a poem or outside in the garden and stretch? Maybe I'll eat lunch outside under a tree or take a mid-morning walk? No matter the 'when' or the 'how', this is a MUST for my health and my tear-stained couch cushions are the proof. So I'm moving towards nature a bit more to soften my heart, be soothed and healed.

What about you? How is your sense of rhythm and in-touch-ness lately? Well, maybe you need to make some changes too? Use this "10 x 10 x 10 discipline", baby! *smile* Take that 10 minute walk beside the lake's edge, a 10 minute stroll through a flower garden, or a long look at the horizon? How about 10 minutes to jot down a short story or doodle a cartoon character? You can make the 10 x 10 x 10 discipline whatever meets your needs... I just hope that if you need it, then you take it. :)