Ice on the Pond

I was on my way to work this morning passing through a city park where I have spent countless hours.  My mind was racing and I was chasing it down a rabbit hole of unproductive thought.  Negative emotions coursed through my veins as I lost sight of the present time and moment.

And then the ice on the pond caught my eye.  I dropped my foot to the ground to stop abruptly and then took a few steps closer.  The window pane effect of smooth sections of ice covered the entire pond.  A quick glance at my wrist told me the temperature was 20*F.  It was beautiful.  The awe I experienced in that moment completely cleared my mind.  The rabbit hole was gone and forgotten.  And then I heard the song of a Northern Cardinal in a tree above me.

Life may be hard, some days will be harder than others.  And it is really easy to get stuck in our minds and chase down rabbit holes.  But if we let her, Mother Nature has a way of getting us to pause and reminding us what is truly important in life.

I'm in a rough patch.  I don't know how long it will last or how long it will take me to heal so that my life feels right once again.  But if I can stay attuned for what Mother Nature has to show me, I know I will get through it.