Mental Medicine

by Marilyn Landreth, M.A.

Enjoying slow motion

When was the last time you took a few moments to stop and really look at the landscape around you? With all the fall colors coming on and the bright blue skies this is a great time of year to enjoy nature. This was brought home to me recently when I had minor surgery on my foot. It wasn't anything serious, but it slowed me down a great deal. Now, when I walk from one dome to another, I have to walk slowly and that allows me time to see all the beauty around me. I have the choice of fretting and fuming (I admit I do that sometimes too) because I have to walk so slowly or just relax and enjoy.

As with most people today, my life is usually very busy. A caption under a Hamilton cartoon said, "I've tried relaxing but-I don't know-I feel more comfortable tense." That kind of describes the way I can be, but with the advent of the weighted down foot I'm slowing down in more ways than one. By slowing down my ability to speed through life the other senses are coming more into play. The sound of the wind rushing through the leaves, the sharp smell of the marigolds, the rough and smooth textures around me are all noticed more than normal.

Georgia O'Keeffe said, "Nobody sees a flower-really-it is so small it takes time-we haven't time-to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time." Hopefully, I'll remember to take the time to enjoy the beauty around me with all my senses. Take a few precious minutes for a Mental Medicine break and enjoy the beauty around you.