Finding Peace In This Moment
Traveling the world while teaching about holistic living, based on raw food nutrition and cleansing, I have developed a bird’s eye view of the global movement for wellness – and ultimately a new way of living, relating, creating, and co-habitating. During my travels, I meet people impacted by the challenges we face in modern times. It is the people living simply, close to the Earth, and with low-stress lifestyles that have been able to adjust well to the ecological, economic, and personal demands we find ourselves facing today.
Same goes for myself! Although I love New York City and Amsterdam, where I work most often, I feel much personal relief when I land in sunny natural places where gardens are growing, gentleness pervades, and stars shine. It brings out the best in me to live without the hustle and bustle of the cities. So what to do for those of us committed to, and activated in the cities, and certainly not about to dismiss that call? What can we do in order to heed and honor the personal and professional demands of big city life while not neglecting your greater need to be aligned with the cycles of the moon, receive nourishment from the sun, and take in the trees greater oxygen? Ah, not to mention the oceanic ions that reduce stress levels!
Here are a few things I’ve found helpful in my journey…
Accept where you are at in this moment – and ask, what do I really want? What’s your ideal lifestyle? Do you believe it’s possible to have what you really want? Many of us who live in downtown NYC, rarely make it to Central Park. This place is a huge gift unto itself! Taking your shoes off and walking barefoot is sure to get you grounded. Not to mention lying in the grass (even if you are bundled up) or taking a good swift walk.
Regularity is key! When’s its cold and rainy, do you embrace this weather as part of nature and submerge yourself in that experience? It’s amazing what a 1/2 hour train ride to the beach or country just outside New York City offers. And if you’re in California, even better! Just outside LA and San Francisco is teaming wildlife and reserves.
In general, it seems that the more emotionally and intimately satisfied we are, the more it doesn’t matter where we are. Are your emotional/intimacy needs being meet? In the cities, besides the parks, one of our greatest resources for nature is one another. Try connecting with like minded people who are interested in self growth and being healthy! Eat of nature! Eating living foods will help keep you connected and keep your circulation moving, no matter how much concrete and cold there is!
Want to learn more about the science and spirit of living, thinking, and being healthy? Check out our debut program: 5 Day New You Intensive, Oct. 24th – 28th in NYC, and Nov. 13th – 18th in Amsterdam… coming online soon!
- Posted by Amy Rachelle on October 22, 2009 at 6:00 am
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Tagged as: nature, peace, travel
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Oh are you ever right. I just bought a house in the country and you know what sold me.. I could take my shoes off and walk from my back door for 1/2 an acre on St. Augustine grass. I loved the house. I adore the yard. It is in the country it is my peace of heaven. For years now when I take a break from my hectic hectic life it has been to visit this blog or head to the park that I love.. but now I will own the park.. or my little peace of it. The point being that if we just step outside ourselves and head to the nearest sanctuary of green, or a beautiful skyline or just walk the sidewalks it can all be a meditaion on peace. We can carve out our peace here where we are. Thank you so much for writing this.. I always love your writing and this is no exception. Peas and Carrots. Callie
So true, Amy. As a child, I loved to lie in the forest behind our house, and look up at the sky, through the trees. I don’t do things like that anymore. I live in the desert, which has its own natural beauty and serenity. I love the sunsets and all the stars that you can see at night…thanks for sharing..good points. And thanks, Kris (Carr) for posting this on Facebook.
kriss Carr,
my daughter lives with the same cancer. EHE , she is 13 this aug. and was found in aug of 2008 last year at the age of 12. has had a liver transplant 19 weeks ago . she feels so alone due to the rare of this cancer . If you can help please contact us. thanks
Thank you Amy! This is relevant for so many of us who work in cities & yet thrive best in quiet/wide open spaces/clear skies..