Just Watching

Introduction

I don't know where to put this or even what it is about. As I say it's "The Calming Effect Of Taking Time To Do Nothing And Watch" and about slowing down and letting your mind and body relax, repair, and recuperate.

It is not a story as such, although it is because it is what I would like to do, what I do, and what might be good for you too.

So What Are My Suggestions?

The video I have included is eight hours of of a river flowing with the sound of birds and water, while I don't expect you to listen to all of it, it is very therapeutic and you could play it while you read. The sound and the view complement each other and you often find that in nature.

The main image is someone taking a photograph on the bridge in the Japanese Garden in Avenham Park, Preston, when I was there a few weeks back.

The weather was wonderful and I had had coffee with my dad and a meal with my sister and met my niece and two great nephews and I felt good just enjoying all that I could see and benefitting from taking things slowly and appreciating everything.

You do need to make time to do things like this, or you will put yourself under, probably unnecessary pressure, and pressure should not be part of this if you are to benefit.

I find watching clouds, seeing the sunrise and the moon come up, maybe a shooting star. The sky can be part of our relaxation agenda.

To look over a field and see cows grazing and trees swaying in the wind can be enormously beneficial. Climbing a small hill and then, at the top, sitting down and seeing all that is around you. I remember feeling this at the top of Glastonbury Tor, and closer to home Cow Hill is a favourite place of relaxation for me.

Sometimes I visit parts of Hadrian's Wall which are close to me, and am amazed by how it is still with us some two thousand years after the Romans built it

Walking out without a particular destination is a great pastime for me because what sometimes happens is that I see unexpected things, and, apart from keeping me fit, I find it incredibly relaxing, so that it multiple benefits from one activity.

I find watching birds fly very relaxing and have written two recent poems about birds, so as well as relaxing me they are also an inspiration to me as you have probably observed.

Although you may feel you are doing nothing, what you are doing is a lot of good for yourself. You are removing the pressure and the need to do things, and what that means is that you will feel more capable of dealing with problems when you have completed your time just watching.

Listening to music is another form of relaxation although you are listening rather than watching, although there are times I can listen to the rain, birdsong, windchimes and other natural sounds and that always provides positive recuperation for me.

While I enjoy watching TV and film, it does not have the same effect on me as a walk across a field or through woodland. Usually, you have to take notice of what is happening and, these days it is digital rather than analogue and natural.

Conclusion

Thank you for the time you have given to me to read this. Time is the most precious commodity of all because it can never be reclaimed.

I hope I have given you an idea or two to improve your daily life.