A Change Of Scenery

Posted: 8 years ago | By: Christine Somers | In: Life Management | Read Time: 1 minute, 55 seconds

I am home. After a week in California I returned home to bare tree limbs, mounds of leaves covering the lawn and a renewed enthusiasm for life on the mountain. The time away was glorious. Marty and I hiked the cliffs of Big Sur and the street of San Francisco stopping to enjoy the unique beauty of each place. As we walked across the Golden Gate Bridge, our conversation centered on technology, art and our good fortune at living in a country of such geographic diversity and abundance. We sampled local food and drink and reveled in spending time together. We had a lovely time in a lovely place. 

Our trip allowed me to get out of the house and get out of my head. The expedition forced me to think about more than the how-to of running my life and when I returned I was able to see my world in another light. Nelson Mandela said, "There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered." I have been changed. I hope for the better.

Traveling allows one to look at life from different vantage points. I will give you an example. As you know California is struggling with a life-altering drought. As we drove through the farm country, we saw interrogatory signs lining the highway. Is growing food a waste of water?, Congress Caused the Dust Bowl, No Water=No Jobs and Pray For Rain were expressing the fears of a community. These are real people worrying about real jobs and real environmental challenges. Nothing abstract, nothing hypothetical. Their struggle touched my heart and mind.  I am a conservationist at heart but I am doubling my efforts to be respectful of our water use. I am grateful for my home and gratitude requires that I care for it lovingly. 

Maybe a week away isn't in your immediate future but I encourage you to take some time to change your scenery. Whether you spend the weekend with a friend or travel half way around the world, take some time to get out of your house and out of your head. It will be worth it!

Hugs,
C


{The View From The Golden Gate Bridge On A Glorious Fall Day}