It seems to be a pretty common part of the Human experience that we tend to go on the search for "meaning;" meaning in our lives. But what is this meaning? Is meaning even a thing?

Today — perhaps for the first time since I stopped working at our small gallery — I fleetingly felt a sense of peace.

And just a short while ago, I walked around our garden just looking at the beauty of nature. As I did this, I realized that there was profound meaning for me in just walking around and observing the breathtaking beauty of the natural world.

Thistles, setting bloom

Of course I had my camera with me. But I also knew that my attempts to photograph what I saw, would in no way reflect the true beauty of what I saw.

A bee enjoying a lavender bloom; a single leaf lit up by the late afternoon sun; a couple of sheafs of wild grass silhouetted against a dark background; thistles about to set their purple blooms; a bird pulling worms from the ground in search of an evening meal… in some way looking at these things, held far more meaning for me than the world of men.

Bumper Sticker Wisdom?

And so, I keep thinking of an old bumper sticker I used to see from time to time: “the best things in life are not things.”

Technically speaking I have been "unemployed" for two weeks now. Of course that is not really true. The only thing that has happened is that one door has closed, and now I am stepping through the doorway to another to a new phase of my life. And yet? It feels like there was a very definite ending; a “death” of sorts; and I am still in a period of mourning.

Bird, looking for its evening meal

I went to the doctor today.

Not because there was something specifically wrong with me, or even to get an annual checkup... I just went because I have been feeling "off center" Mostly Dr. B and I talked about the fact that there's an irony in our society's approach to wellness. We stay pretty conscious of the fact that we need to go to the doctor and have an annual health checkup. But pretty much nobody takes the time to go and see anybody for a mental health check up. In fact, in that particular area, we generally don't do anything about it until we're ready to fall off a cliff.

Ironic isn't it?

It's also sad and ironic that there are so many stigmas surrounding mental health.

Lavender in the late evening sun

When you go to the doctor, you're just trying to take care of your health. You are being a Responsible Adult™. On the other hand, if you go to a therapist, then clearly you must be a nut ball or something. Mentally ill. Broken. Screwed up.

And yet? There are millions of pages of evidence showing that the key to truly good overall health is to be aware of the mind-body connection and to find a balance. But we just don't tend to do that.

And so, walking around my garden contemplating the meaning of meaning was basically a mental health exercise. And a form of self care at the end of a long period of stress.

Remember to take the time to stop and smell the roses!

Thanks for reading!

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Created at 190712 21:40 PST
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