Poetic Pause. Presence. Purpose.Catnip of Life is evolving into something deeper, more vibrant—an awakening of soulful reflections, bursts of excitement, and playful poetry woven into nature’s embrace.
Stay tuned for upcoming changes and new content. Until then, feel free to explore what’s here among nearly 1000 posts. Let your day begin or end, maybe both, with a dose of catnip, gathering insights along the way into the Just ME! journey.
Catnip of Life – A Poetic Pause in a Fast-Paced World
Reflections run deep—like the sunset mirrored on water, revealing both light and shadow. Sometimes, the most vivid truths surface when we dare to look within.
Catnip of Life – Where every reflection holds a lesson.
The “catnip of life” IS Mother Nature! Like the effects of catnip on the cat, nature provides us excitement on one hand, tranquility on the other.
Nature is fertile ground for creativity and imagination. Often the simplest views of nature spark the most profound thoughts of thankfulness and gratitude.
This image reminds me of Robert Frost and his reference to the road less traveled. Even though this presents a single road vs one that forks affording us a choice, this too opens the door to choice.
While it appears quite simple in its view, it is powerful in meaning. It invites you to travel along the road of simplicity, leaving the busyness behind.
Would you travel this road or seek a more profound view?
As the crisp air gradually approaches winter’s chill, let’s reflect on the last remnants of fall that surround us. Nature, adorned in its warm hues, has already begun its graceful farewell to the vibrant season we’ve cherished. The trees, once ablaze with the fiery colors of autumn, stand almost barren with their leaves carpeting the ground as nature’s welcome mats.
I encourage you to step outside and immerse yourself in this transitional phase. This could be as close as out your front or back door. Witness the leaves dancing in the gentle breeze, feel the cool air on your face, and let the rustle of the remaining foliage be a soothing soundtrack to your day.
Observe. Listen.
Perhaps, take a moment to walk through a park or nearby woods and capture the rustle of leaves beneath your feet, inhale the earthy fragrance lingering in the air.
Embrace. Breathe.
It’s a poignant reminder that change is an inevitable part of life, and each season, like chapters in a book, has its own unique story to tell.
Savor nature’s abundant beauty.
Let’s capture this fleeting moment together through time and space, whether a leisurely stroll, a cozy cup of tea by the window, or simply pausing to admire the sunset’s warm glow. As we transition into the coming winter season, let’s carry the essence of fall with us—the memories of pumpkin-spiced moments, the sound of leaves crunching beneath our steps, and the feeling of warmth in our hearts that autumn always brings.
Wishing you a cozy and reflective season as we soon prepare to voice our gentle goodbyes to fall.
If you ask me about autumn, it is leaves dancing across the ground—Elements of a former life wherever nature’s spirit abounds.
Most interesting is the Bee Dance, aka, the Waggle Dance.
It’s a fact. . .
Honeybees perform a “waggle dance” to tell their nestmates where to go for the tastiest food. Bumblebees have stinky feet and can tell who’s walked on a flower before them.
Life Lessons from the Bees
‘Bee’ the best you can be Play together in love Join hands in fellowship Under the sky above
Seek the sweetness of life Filled with smiles and laughter Flit and flitter outside Morning, noon, thereafter
Capture rays of sunshine Sparkling on stems and leaves Marvel at wildflowers As they sway in the breeze
Look around you for signs Listen before you speak Life lesson from the bees ‘Bee’ yourself, ‘Bee’ unique
What would you label as being more important than your HEALTH and VITALITY? That should be an easy question to answer: NOTHING! Why? Because it would be difficult to live the life you love with your well-being simmering, sometimes barely simmering, on the back burner.
From the United States EPA (2023), Americans spend 90% of their time, not OUTdoors, but INdoors. Over half of American adults report spending 5 hours or fewer outside in nature each week. Over three-quarters spend 10 or fewer hours outside each week. (NATUREOFAMERICANS.ORG) Fox News reported recently nature deficit disorder as a problematic health issue. Negative health effects include obesity, cancer, heart disease, stress, anxiety, and depression.
The age of technology and the aftereffects of COVID have placed more and more demands on sitting at home or in an office staring at a computer screen. Then, there is also the cellphone which often times seems to be glued to people’s faces.
My challenge to you today: Step OUTdoors! Feel the energy of the earth beneath your feet. Listen to the soothing melodies of the wind and the birds. Feel the warmth of the sun on your skin. And, find comfort among the trees. In other words, BE outside. Trees are alive with energy flowing upward from the roots embedded deep within the earth as they gather their energy from the sun to grow and survive. The wind brushes the branches and leaves upon which the birds perch gracefully sometimes in joyful song.
HUG the TREE! Yes! Hug the tree! With your body tightly against the tree, offload all your emotional pain, absorbing the tree’s life-giving energy. The tree in return absorbs all the negative energy surging throughout you own body. The benefits of hugging the tree include reduced stress, improved immunity, lowered blood pressure, and quicker recovery from trauma or illness. (The Wilder Route. The Incredible Benefits of Tree Hugging) Thank the tree with love and move on about your day leaving any stress and anxiety behind you.
There is no age limit to hugging a tree. Make it a family and friends affair!
Question has arisen lately as to why catnip? Why indeed catnip! We all know what catnip does to the cat, but this is not about cats. This is about life. 60% of cats experience a behavioral reaction from catnip whereas 100% of humans undergo similar reactions when connected to nature. Excitement on one hand, tranquility on the other.
When I traveled to Boston with my daughter, Nicole, we stayed at the Encore Boston Harbor. What an exciting place this turned out to be. . . far beyond our expectations! Flowers, flowers, flowers, immaculate gardening everywhere. On one of our morning walks, we encountered this beautiful purple flower. Unfamiliar with it, Nicole used the plant identifier on her phone. Voila! CATNIP! The only catnip I had ever seen was simply a green plant. Excitement on one hand, tranquility on the other.
Thank you, Foxie, for your love of catnip. Otherwise, I may have never discovered the connection! Foxie is my 15-yr old calico Norwegian Forest Cat.
Below are a series of thought-proving questions. Read each question as though it were the title of a speech, article, or book.
THINK about how that question makes you FEEL. What action does it compel you to DO? For example, move on without giving it another thought vs. stop to listen or read about it.
Once you are “hooked” on the question that grabs you the most put the number of that question in the comments box. That’s it.
QUESTIONS:
1. What if you lived in a land of no “trees”? 2. When was the last time you felt the earth? 3. Do voices of nature call you home? 4. Does nature breathe? 5. Where is the diamond in the rough with the power to heal?
PS If none of these grab you, give me your thoughts around a similar theme:-)
Last week I had a photoshoot along the jetties at Panama City Beach, FL. This was scheduled to accompany an article I was asked to write about the Catnip of Life, which will be published during the month of June (Stroll Grand Lagoon – Delivering Neighborhood Connections). The photo shoot was an absolute blast! There are always stories to tell and of course, there is a ‘doozy’ behind this photo.
There were quite a number of photo shoots going on the day we were at the jetties. Some photographers had their professional equipment set up in the sand, while others were shooting with their phones. Mandjo Brokaw had just finished a shot when I turned around and spotted a young man standing tall on top of the same rock as depicted below. Another young man was snapping pictures with his phone.
Without even thinking twice, I turned to Mandjo Brokaw and exclaimed, “I want a photo on top of that rock (pointing to the young man as he stood proudly upon the rock, which was about 6 ft above the sand)! In an instant, I approached the young man with the camera after he finished snapping pictures.
Yes! I introduced myself and asked a favor. “I want a picture on that rock but need assistance getting to the top.” He grabbed me by the hand and up we went! I was barefoot so had to be careful because the sand was slippery on the rocks. He was steady as could be and led me right to the top, stepped aside, and I raised my hands to the glory of our Heavenly Father! (The young man’s name is Colin and very handsome!)
My only regret is that I didn’t have more pictures taken while I was there, perhaps sitting, instead of only standing, and on one foot, instead of both feet! hahahahaha Tomorrow IS another day and the jetties are surely not going anywhere soon!
Observe. Listen. Embrace. Breathe. Savor. Life to Its Fullest!
This is a FB live I completed on Thursday, May 11,2023. Even though wishes are expressed for a Terrific Thursday, the message holds fast any day of the week: Marvelous Monday, Thrilling Tuesday, Wonderful Wednesday, Terrific Thursday, Fabulous Friday, Super Saturday, and Splendid Sunday.
Step outside into the catnip of life! Need help in learning more about this catnip? Visit catnipoflife.infoClick the tab Books & Contact for the new release Catnip of Life! Grab your copy today! You can walk hand in hand with Mother Nature regardless of a bright sunny day or amidst grey clouds and stormy weather. Like the effects catnip has on the cat, reel with excitement or relax in tranquility!
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