Squirrel Appreciation Day!?!?  Who knew?  I love seeing squirrels, but hate it when they get into my bird feeders.

To honor Squirrel Appreciation Day, I am going to spend some time outdoors. If the weather is good in your area, take a walk in park or find a local trail.  You’ll have an adventure and get some exercise.

Leave the electronics at home!  We all are accustomed to the noise we experience daily.  I’m guilty.  I wake to a radio, turn on the news, the radio is on again as I drive my daily commute, chatter and background music at work, and mindless watching TV or the computer until I’m ready to go to bed.  Today I will focus on the sounds outdoors:  birds singing, the wind in the trees, dogs or maybe even a squirrel scampering through the yard.  Today I will remember that it is okay to be quiet.

 

The results:  When I woke up this morning, I was so excited for the day.  Then I went to work, and by the time I came home all I wanted to do was take a nap.  Unfortunately, this is an all to often occurrence.  I pushed myself.  I mean really, I can’t give up on the second day!  I headed outside.  But, it was only 30 degrees outdoors!  At first, I felt relaxed and excited just to be doing something different, then I felt cold.  I closed my eyes and heard cars and planes, but I also heard the wind through the trees, my neighborhood dogs, and birds singing.  No squirrels though!  I guess they were smart enough to stay out of the chilly weather.  And then I felt cold.  Eventually, I realized I was enjoying all the sensations I was experiencing, even the temperature.  When I returned to the house, I thoroughly enjoyed a cup of mint hot chocolate with whip cream!  What started with ‘Squirrels’, ended with a delicious cup of cocoa.  The experience turned into a wonderful everyday life moment.