Tag Archives: Lake Alma State Park

Curating Your Own Life

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I read something recently that suggested you should be the curator of your own life and I liked this idea. It’s like curating an art collection – perfect since your life is a work of art. Cut out things that don’t matter and the things that drag you down, steal your time and distract you.

Keep doing this until you’re left with only the things that make your life better and that bring you comfort and joy.

Sometimes it’s hard to know what you want your life to look like and what it ought to be. Rather than picture that, sometimes it is easier to know what it shouldn’t be and begin stripping away the unnecessary.

There is such a thing as addition by subtraction.

Curating your own life will be harder than you think. That’s why you need to start today. Where will you begin?

Calm Waters

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This season of life I’m in isn’t the best. There’s no need for worry. I don’t need counseling or a spa day. No need for a major life shake-up either. The phrase “it is what it is” comes to mind a lot more than normal and I’m the kind of tired that can’t be cured by a good night’s sleep.

It is what it is. 

But it’s a season of life rather than the way it will always be. So it’s ok.

I’m starting to allow my mind to wander into adventure season. Oh, the places I might go!  I’m currently craving outdoor time and a road trip. The thought of throwing open the windows, getting rid of most everything I own and scrubbing clean what’s left is sounding more appealing by the day.

Again, don’t worry. This happens every year at this time and I solemnly promise not to pitch my couch and my entire wardrobe out into the front yard!

Even if  it is tempting.  

For now, I’m settling for short bursts of outdoor time because fresh air is good for the mind, body and spirit. On Tuesday night I went to Lake Alma State  Park  for a walk on the busy bike path. It wasn’t quite the outdoor fun I had planned but it at least was some fresh air and exercise 

I marveled at the water. Look how glassy and still it is!  The trees remain bare as it isn’t white time for the spring bloomers. The sky was a brilliant blue we typically don’t see this time of year. 

Calm water. Still water. It’s what I needed on that day and at that time. If only everything else could be so easy as beautiful nature reflected in calm water!

A Walk In The Park

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Mother Nature is currently having a nervous breakdown here in southern Ohio. While I’m missing my winter snow and cold, it was nice to slip outside for a walk at Lake Alma last night.

It was 53 degrees and sunny – warm enough that my jacket seemed a little too much. The light was golden and the reflection off the lake so bright it was practically blinding.

Of course, it has been so gray of late that any sign of the sun seems bright!

Fresh air in my lungs, movement in my muscles and beautiful trees and water as far as the eye could see were exactly what I needed.

Plus, knowing that I was walking after work meant that I had something to look forward to all day long. As far as I’m concerned, having something to look forward to every day is one of the keys to happiness. Spending time in nature is another. How fortunate when the two work together!!

We get a finite number of days in our lives. Why not find a way to enjoy each of them? Why not take advantage of these pretty days to do something truly good for ourselves?

Whatever you enjoy, find a way to enjoy it and have a fantastic day!

Tree Down After A Storm

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My favorite tree at Lake Alma didn’t survive the storm last week. It was there just before the storm began Thursday as I scurried around the island before thunderstorms and possible tornadoes moved into the area.

Sadly, it was down yesterday morning, literally pulled up by the roots and lying in the water.

It was a sad sight.

I have favorite things in lots of places I visit regularly. Favorite trees, rocks, patches of trillium and vistas top the list of things I look forward to with each visit to familiar places. This tree was like an old friend, one that provided shade and comfort and had great character.

It’s probably silly to mourn a tree but it brought me great joy over the years. I feel like it deserves a moment of silence and gratitude for its contribution to my life.

Every Morning

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“Every morning was a cheerful invitation to make my life of equal simplicity, and I may say innocence, with nature herself.”

-Henry David Thoreau.

Yesterday

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Yesterday was sunny and beautiful with blue skies and 26 degree temperatures that the weather app said felt like 19. Luckily, that little chill in the air didn’t deter me from heading out for a walk at a local state park.

I mean, what’s a little cold when it’s such a pretty day?

The wind off the lake was frigid and it was mostly me, the Canada Geese and a few other hardy souls out soaking up as much Vitamin D as you can absorb through a hat and three layers of clothing.

If I were working from the office, I would likely be swinging by the lake after work at least some nights to squeeze in a walk. Unfortunately, in my work from home routine, it’s hard to pry me out of the house on a cold day save for feeding the birds. That’s only because they sit on their empty feeder and stare at me sitting at my desk until I do something about it.

While I didn’t cherish the thought of going out in the freezing cold, I relished every moment of my three mile walk and realized that I haven’t smiled so much in ages.

I need to do that more often.

Do more of what makes you smile, friends. I promise you won’t regret it.