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.
On the Air: Today I was honored to be a guest on Love Light with Dr. Jean Farish on Voice America! Thank you, Dr. Farish, for this wonderful opportunity to reach a worldwide audience with information and documentation in regards to how our society has shifted from awe-inspiring nature to suffering a dangerous deficit.
NOTE: Click the image or the link below to access the audio on Love Light. It will open over this page, so use the back arrow to return to Catnip of Life.
On the show today, Dr. Farish made the connection of nature to the changes, ebbs and flows, in life. This at once brought to my mind the poem Ebbs & Flows from the Catnip of Life.
Within life are journeys, challenges, memories… and obstacles. Each involves inspiration captured from the ebbs and flows of life. Moods change like the ocean’s tide, whispering of the past within echoes of each crashing wave.
Ebbs & Flows
*****
Ebbs & flows of the sea respond to the sun and moon Whispering of the past to crashing waves’ tireless tune
Hearts & souls of the sea in sepulchers of the deep Lie fearless of pounding sounds obdurate rocks unleash
Bells & horns of the sea resonate across the waves Resounding things forgotten to shun watery graves
Gulls & dolphins of the sea frolic beneath afternoon sun Plunge-diving into crashing surf as baitfish stay on the run
Starfish & sea urchins of the sea with exotic spiny skin Lie dormant at low tide awaiting collection to begin
Shells & smells of the searesound of sweet, salty air Voicing bold, vibrant remembrance way beyond compare
Moonbeams & winds of the sea beckon songs waves compose Thoughts harken to the night pondering life’s ebbs and flows
Highs & lows of life mimic ebbs and flows of the sea Ups and downs, ins and outs, rhythmic changes meant to be
“Action and reaction, ebb and flow, trial and error, change – this is the rhythm of living. Out of our over-confidence, fear; out of our fear, clearer vision, fresh hope. And out of hope, progress.” — Bruce Barton (American Congressman, 1886–1967)
Where would we be, and what would we face without good health and vitality? To climb any ladder, mentally or physically, takes dedication and perseverance, but all too often overlooked is maintaining a healthy body and mind. Within the busyness and business of everyday life, we become so wound up, we forget to wind down . . . in a healthy way.
END OF DAY
A nighttime stroll Lessens the toll Of daily strife
Join me and enjoy the interconnectedness between nature and human behavior, especially as it relates to health and vitality. Your vision into the natural world through reading, writing, observing, and listening relies on an appreciation for nature’s potential to enhance well-being and enrich daily life.
INSPIRATION
A verse a day Keeps stress at bay A joy of life
Connecting or perhaps re-connecting with nature promotes not just physical health but also mental and emotional well-being. In fact, each day without that connection is like a missed opportunity for renewal—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
SURPRISE!
Believe what’s found Is always around Waiting just for you
Find your happy place. . . a place where there is always excitement on one hand, tranquility on the other. Let the natural world become your go-to place for contentment. Open a window, look outside; open the door, step outside! Not only expect the unexpected, but learn to respect the unexpected!
HAPPINESS!
A happy face My happy space Outdoorsy’s truth!
Human behavior intertwines with the natural world. The American Psychological Association calls this being nurtured by nature. It is time to embrace this relationship, incorporating nature into daily life to cultivate vitality and enhance overall quality of life.
CONNECT!
YOUR CALL TO ACTION:Prioritize your health and well-being by reconnecting with the beauty and vitality of nature. The solution is simple—and it comes with a very inexpensive price tag!
Grateful and honored to have been selected as a speaker for the upcoming Global Superpower Conference 2024! This event will be held Friday March 29th from 5pm-7:30pm EST. I will be speaking on Embracing Nature’s Generosity: Being Nurtured by Nature.
Join myself along with additional dynamic speakers as we raise awareness and educate others about disabilities. My daughter, Nicole Reina, is a keynote speaker and Nicole will speak on Embracing Resilience. In Nicole’s words, “a topic dear to my heart, as I never would have made it this far had I let life tear me down.”
It is indeed an honor to be able to share the stage with my daughter toward inspiring others to greatness.
Christmas is the season of giving and gifting! Each of us gathers inspiration from different facets of life. For me, it is nature and my way of giving is providing inspiration through poetic words and vision. I invite you to feel the calmness in the presence of a rainy day. Experience glory amidst somber gray skies. Feel the sunlight penetrating early morning mist. Praise God for seasons of refreshing.
In the poetic words of the Catnipof Life, you explore the natural world through inspiration and imagery. See it! Hear it! Feel it! Read as a bedtime story to calm the mind or a wake-up call to an invigorating day! Visions are implanted in the corridors of your mind to be revisited any hour of the day or night. Then, your mission is to step outside into nature and enter the world of discovery.
Give the gift of magical wonder where words are read line-by-line and the end is the beginning!
Visit https://www.catnipoflife.info to learn about the Catnip of Life and all of Sharla’s books. Great Christmas gifts, even for yourself! The gift that keeps on giving inspiration to the giver and/or receiver! For quick purchase, Catnip of Life is available on Amazon.
There is an essence of energy in all life. Within the interconnectedness of all living things is a vital force or energy that permeates the natural world. If we turn the calendar back to examine indigenous cultures and ancient times, the belief existed that a universal life force or energy flows through all living beings and natural elements.
Nature is often considered a profound source of this life energy. The idea is that spending time in natural settings, such as forests, mountains, or near bodies of water, allows individuals to absorb and resonate with this vital force. There is a parallel to this idea within the Japanese culture with the practice of “forest bathing”, which is strongly linked to lowering blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormones. This shines a bright light on nature as being therapeutic and rejuvenating.
Nurture your spirit with time in the natural world. Nature is often depicted as being a calming place, building a sense of resilience, and providing a sense of hope. It is also a place of mystery, intrigue, and enchantment. Even on mornings that begin with dense fog and misty rain, there is a sense of mysticism and magic.
Step outside on a foggy morning and you are standing in a low cloud settled in over the earth. The dense mist cloaks everything in sight with tiny water droplets. As ghostly apparitions appear, imagination follows. Dappled sunlight leaves you with a sense of mysticism.
Images appear subdued Amidst the dense, pesky fog Fondly kissed by stratus clouds Disturbed by a croaking frog
Figures in the far distance Emit varying shadowy hues A tone so melancholy Reminiscent of ol’ country blues
Uppermost mountain peaks Obscured by the thick fog’s bed Converge with sky’s splendor Striking grey patterns overhead
Merely a touch of fog Steamy haze in view Evokes mystical thoughts Chilling through ’n’ through
Silhouettes appear Amid nature’s transformation| Misty morning fog Veils objects of fascination|
From the sky to the terrain Scattering rays of sunlight drift Semi-transparent colors emerge As the fog doth slowly lift
“The fog comes on little cat feet. It sits looking over harbor and city on silent haunches and then moves on.”
— Carl Sandburg (U.S. biographer, poet, 1878–1967)
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.
catnipoflife 