Greetings from Pasadena CA!

Here is Part 2 of my California Dreamin’ post series…

The other part of my get-a way is obviously to stroke my spirit and to relax and unwind. Our lives get so busy with the day to day grind of work, family, trying to get loads of laundry done, cooking, shopping etc. while taking care of children (and sometimes even our aging parents) that we forget to place our own need to relax and de-stress on our to do lists.  Many of you know exactly what I mean! This is why it is critical that we take the time to de-compress.

Stress is one of the main reasons why we have dis-ease in our lives and when one remains at a heightened state of dis-ease, one eventually will fall victim to some real illness. When our bodies and minds don’t get a chance to rest and recover, we set ourselves up on a path of self destruction. I used to be a workaholic and I made a conscious choice: I don’t want to live in that world any more. Give yourselves permission to take a break. Stop and smell the roses, gardenias, and lilacs in the gardens of your minds and learn to enjoy the moment. Slow your world down and enjoy life in its simplicity whether it is taking a long walk, finding a free outdoor concert, people watching, lying on your backs watching cloud formations, reading something for pleasure, watching the sunset, star gazing and most importantly spending time with loved ones.

I just helped supervise my daughter and her new friend while they made fresh, home-made lemonade for their lemonade stand. What’s even better is they used lemons picked fresh from the tree in their backyard.  I have been friends with the little girl’s father since we were teenagers and now the next generation, our children, have developed a friendship that seems so beautiful and natural. It really is the simple things in life that matter. Ah, how sweet it is!  And now for that fresh, tasty glass of lemonade, please?