One of the best stress relievers I know of is simply sitting outside. In the early morning, after putting food out for all the creatures I return to my house for a cup of freshly brewed coffee. As I sit down in my old metal garden chair I am transformed by the tranquility before me. Slowly and quietly the does are the first ones to bring their fawns out into the meadow. Next the line of bucks emerges from the thick brush and slowly saunter across the road like the old baseball players emerging from the cornfield in Field of Dreams. Moments after the sun rises the single file line of male turkeys arrive with a dramatic flair of fanned out feathers and beating drums. No matter how many times I watch this I still marvel at the majestic presence of these big birds and their quiet grace in sharing food with the herd of deer. While I savor each sip of steaming coffee I watch as the squirrels slowly emerge from their nest boxes and nibble on their breakfast bounty. I listen to the calls of sandhill cranes and the melody of bird songs. I laugh as the skunks waddle past me and the groundhogs scamper back into their burrows with a mouth full of food.

When I am sitting outside no matter what problem is weighing on my mind I am able to clear the jumble of thoughts inside my head and see a clear solution. Quietly sitting and observing nature is essentially a meditation. Partaking in this morning meditation helps to ground me and to show me what is really important in my life. Anyone can do this. It may mean getting up earlier in the morning but it is the perfect way to start your day with peace and grounded healing energy. Leave your cell phone inside and find a quiet place in your yard or a nearby park and give yourself the gift of nature. Listen to the birds, watch the wildlife around you as the sun rises and give thanks for the blessing of nature that we all can share.

Love and Blessings, Cheryl