The idea of living a care-free life…

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Photo by Julian Jagtenberg on Pexels.com

I’ve learned it’s not possible to live carefree as we are all bombarded with constant energy in the form of responsibilities, happenstances, negative outcomes, even castoff of other’s energies even though they might be well-intentioned.

But consistently working to attain it is a serendipitous journey in and of itself replete with rewards for all five senses. Partaking in the reverberations of rhythmic sounds, meditating on serene sights, immersion with thought-provoking textures, a reverie of delightful tastes, or basking in memory-laden scents offers some carefree moments into my life.  It’s necessary, especially with a negative mental health diagnosis that makes one fight for every bit of peace possible.

I’ve seen fellow sufferers in a cocoon of pain and fear that which they cannot escape. For many years, I’ve been told I’m fortunate to have been able to consume coursework, especially in spirituality and healing, to the extent that I have because it allows me a degree of foresight, and insight, not available to many with my diagnosis.  For that reason, I work happily towards carefree moments: glimpses into serenity if you will.  I make time for insouciant moments with my devil-may-care attitude.  Granted I’m not always so happy-go-lucky but losing myself on the journey is its own reward.

Getting back to nature

bridgeWalking at the Landscape Arboretum was always enjoyable for me but I quit with COVID and all. So today, I accompanied Robert on the drive to Lino Lakes to measure a client’s home. Afterward, a nice, peaceful walk cleared my mind a tad and I returned with renewed vigor and thought about starting up the blogs for my main author page and the pseudonym as well.

Looking Onward and Upward

looking upwardIt’s August already…Spring and Summer went by quickly. Autumn is approaching and is typically the time of endings (gardening, summer sports, vacations, and the Fair); but I’d rather think of it as new beginnings. So many new classes start up in the Fall. Whether it is credit related or simply for enjoyment, the community offers so many options. In addition to my mental health and resiliency related coursework, I’ve also signed up for arts (pointillism, surrealism, and expressionism) and crafts (Fused Glass Studio & Combining Thrown and Handbuilt Pieces) type classes. Being located in Eden Prairie offers the benefit of both local arts classes plus nature-based classes at the University of Minnesota’s Landscape Arboretum in nearby Chanhassen where there are a restaurant, art gallery, gorgeous gardens,  hardy woodlands, wetlands and spectacular prairies to hike through on their 12.5 miles of paths. I really enjoy stress free time here in addition to their lecture series.

The last class that I took there was Therapeutic Horticulture where we learned about biophilia (the instinctive connection between humans and nature) and different therapies for a variety of illnesses or disorders. That class on the psychological orientation towards nature was for credit. This time around I’ll be taking Make and Take Stone Sculptures and Autumn Botanical Arrangements as well as an August class in Fire in the Garden Grilling (Beyond the Barbequed Burger) and hopefully some “greenlist” classes which are spur of the moment type class offerings that occur within the day or week of being posted. These classes don’t even make it into the calendar because they are so short notice. I prefer them because less people show up. However, I do like getting lost in a crowd where others are the center of attention.

These classes are so inexpensive with membership plus they help one socialize in a structured atmosphere which I prefer because then I don’t necessarily have to speak when I don’t want to; instead, it is instructor driven with question and answers, usually by only a handful of the participants. I really enjoy that plus it benefits me with my schizophrenia in that I get to use fine motor skills, as well as the socialization factor and the fact that I have to sit still for a prolonged period of time. Staying still is a difficulty for me but I’m working towards a solution with these classes plus I hope these will decrease my overt/positive (delusions, hallucinations, and social disinhibition) symptoms even more so that I can be listed as in remission (six months symptom free w/ the aid of medications).