This month has been full of sappy moments, nostalgia, blended happy and sad memories flood my mind from time to time, And, there is a flooding currently taking place.  It's nothing new... and once I am drained (no pun intended) I will feel a sense of release. 

  There are a few ways I express my sappy feelings. My favorite is to get outside, surround myself in nature, meditate, quiet my mind... center and focus.  Writing helps tremendously! A stream of consciousness that prompts a flow, allowing what feels like happiness or sadness to become one emotion to feel, to process and release. 

   I enjoy giving myself the freedom to acknowledge how I am feeling and how I am doing.  Being able to stop and check in with myself has been very helpful for me.  A positive outcome begins with practicing Mindfulness on a daily basis, once I realized mindfulness is something we all naturally possess, the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where/what we're doing and not overly reactive or overwhelmed.  Imagine training your brain to be mindful. remodeling your brains structure, bringing awareness to what you're directly experiencing through your senses,  emotions or state of mind.    

This year I decided to begin incorporating Forest Bathing, when i am out hiking. And, enhance my passion to practice acts of mindfulness, daily.
For a long time I realized meditating outdoors was one of the greatest ways for me to silence my mind, ease my anxieties and doubts, it invigorated me, the sounds of nature, the birds, the wind, the smells of nature, so peaceful.

Forest Bathing offers a similar experience, breathing exercises listening and only observing with your ears, eyes closed or eyes open.... Either way, there is no wrong way, it is simply the act of being quiet and still for just a while. And, to which I feel it is essential for all who seek nature as  a sanctuary, a place to find peace or healing.