Nature's Therapy
Have you ever noticed how much better you feel when spending time outdoors, and into nature’s playground? The summer air and the warm sun, coupled with a cool breeze, is the magic potion for an evening walk. It helps connect your body with your soul. This week I took a long walk with my Sweet Sixteeners, and thought it would be the perfect solution to end my day. With everyone’s busy summer schedule, our weekly get-togethers have been sparse, at best. Most meetings take place via phone.
I have had a lot of things going on in recent weeks that have added stressful moments in my life, and I sent out an S.O.S. I mentioned I needed an in-person meeting and within minutes, it was arranged. To accommodate schedules, we planned meeting later than normal. Even though one girl was out of town, if possible, wanted to join by phone.
As three of us arrived we gave a quick hello, as we headed for the trail, it was getting late, and we were chasing daylight. Since I had raised the S.O.S. flag, I began telling my stories, frustrations, worries, and stress. Each of the girls offered advice, validation, but mostly support. They didn’t try to solve the issues, instead they offered a safe space for me to reside. A place without judgement or fear, because they have at one time or another, walked in my shoes. Maybe not the same story, but the same emotions.
As I went on, one of my legs seized up, and instant pain almost dropped me to my knees. My leg cramps were so severe nothing would help, so I pushed ahead. The pain would subside then would rear it’s ugly head, again and again. It was a pattern, and it seemed my emotions controlled the severity of the pain. At my greatest frustration the pain matched it’s intensity. My girlfriend thought it was as if the recent events produced toxins that were trying to exit through my body.
The on-and-off again leg cramps lasted the entire walk, at one point I had to laugh to fight through the pain. My friends were right beside me, offering an arm along with the ongoing support. At one point they tried to massage the pain, but to no avail….failed. Since we were on a trail we had to keep moving forward.
The walk took much longer than anticipated, but what they gave me that night was precious. They gave me the gift of unconditional love, without limits or boundaries. The walk was nature’s therapy, the friendship was love, and the S.O.S. was the answer to my prayer. I have never been good at sharing my pain, or asking for help; I tend to isolate, and try to figure things out on my own. I realize this is not the ideal solution, and I’m trying to improve. Having friends that provide the save space to speak my truth is a God-send. As it turns out the S.O.S. was the perfect end to my day.
xoxox…..Sheryl