Surrender to the Present

Spring has finally graced us with her presence here in Northern Maine. March was long. It drudged and slugged along, seemingly unending. Somewhere among dwindling snow and biting wind, I started feeling the need for something new. April came and the heaviness lifted from inside and we were outside more now! The woods sprang to life: Beavers, birds, moose and peepers. Even the frozen creek burst with gurgle. The trees and bushes gave way to buds and I found myself scanning the once snow-covered earth for moss, leftover mushrooms from the fall, witches brooms, and fiddleheads.

The change of the seasons is slow in Maine. Dramatic and breathtaking…an expression of process and journey.

Slowing down has been a huge part of my journey in moving here. Making time for doing more of nothing or more of the important things that nourish and fuel me, has filled me with compassion, understanding, quiet and reflection. This new aliveness is connected to daily wellness practices.

Sometimes wellness feels like a distraction from our daily lives-a frivolous, unnecessary extra; selfish or even scary, an uncomfortable time spent with ourselves, tending to our own needs. We live in a world where constant doing is valued and praised, yet in the midst of it all we can feel depleted, exhausted and empty.

One of the wellness practices I recently started incorporating is guided meditations. These meditations can be found on free apps such as Insight Timer. I often use my own writing and art as a starting point too. Meditation can be done walking, as a background for creating, cooking, yoga, dance, gardening…it can be done in many ways! I encourage you to find your own way and give it a try. Below is a meditation that I wrote, feel free to use it or create your own. Slowly repeat the meditation out loud several times and then sit in quiet reflection.

One act of wellness everyday becomes a part of who you are. Practice one, practice many.

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