Regular time outdoors is my cure for the blahs. As a culture, I think we tend to forget the healing power of outdoor time. In many homes, watching the Nature Channel has replaced the experience of discovering the excitement of observing a new bird at our own feeder or a butterfly sipping nectar in our flower pot. Video games have replaced tree climbing and rock throwing. Organized sports have replaced jump roping and ball bouncing on the back sidewalk. IPods have replaced listening to a bird's song and the wind's rustling of the leaves as we walk along.Our world has become smaller because of advances in technology but many of us don't even know our own neighbors. We have stopped associating on front porches while swatting at flies and moths and mosquitoes in order to be more comfortable in our air conditioned houses. Our lawns don't have as many dandelions or as much clover as they once did. What is a childhood without making a wish and blowing dandelion seeds on a hot summer's day or trying to find the four leaf clover while laying in the cool grass?
Does all this new technology and being busy with activities make us happier? Would spending some time outdoors playing and exploring together as a family bring us more satisfaction?
I dare you to give it a try.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
