Just be.

Wow. Life has been busy. It's pretty remarkable how short the days can be -- usually at this time of year I'm celebrating the extension of daylight hours.

By the way... why would you NOT go outdoors when it's sunny out? Why would you ever opt to sit inside? Perhaps because it's routine. Well, I think that's why I do it.

Last week, Doug and I drove up to the Botanic Gardens that was my stomping grounds when I was a kid. We explored the paths and admired the serenity and beauty of stillness, the scent of redwoods and just-rained upon foliage. We went scampering around, and went rock hopping down the creek, trying to touch nothing but rock with our feet (Doug was better at this than I; I just wanted to hop and stomp around with my crusty old waterproof boots :) ). We played, disbanding any curious looks we got from people walking on the paths above with a smile and a wave. It was such fun. What better way to appreciate the big things, than to practice by soaking up the little things, as well?

Make time to do this. Make time to shed the layers of responsibility and obligation, self-imposed and otherwise, and strip yourself of any expectations society might have. Just be. Nurture and love that naked, raw element that makes us who we are, that part that is so often neglected and forgotten. Be still, or play, or do whatever feeds you, and leaves you feeling radiant and full of life. There is always time for everything else, no matter how short the days are; this, you cannot replace, nor substitute.