When my friend shared this beautiful sunset with me, I knew I had to share it. I was immediately reminded of the many hours of sunsets I have enjoyed; sadly, I couldn't remember how long it had been since I had treated myself to the relaxing sensation of being near the water, experiencing a gorgeous sunset -- a place that offers so much.
If you've never been on the beach or near a body of water at the end of the day when the sun is setting, you should make an appointment to do so at your earliest convenience. Fortunately, many of us can actually remember sunsets by the water, either at a beach, a pond, a lake, or at the river, the sea, or the ocean.
SUNSET is an indescribable work of art that only nature can create, truly unique. City dwelling, career pursuits, and family obligations are normally the culprits that impede our opportunities to enjoy the benefits of a mood changing sunset. Whatever the reason for the hiatus, consider scheduling an opportunity to connect and enjoy a sunset for the first time, or reconnect to the great benefits: connecting to nature's art gallery, which inexplicably activates our senses during a recess at a place that only nature can create.
Nature's sunset near water provides a space to not only think about tranquility but also experience tranquility. This tranquility is topped off with beauty, peace, and needed serenity + the most important person in the world, "YOU." Even if we can't rush off to the water today or tomorrow, we can take a few minutes to view the picture and start imagining what's in store. We should sit in a quiet place and imagine that we can hear the sound of the waves crashing against a bed of rocks. Like preparing for a business trip, we generally start making plans as soon as the trip has been approved. If we can prepare for work related trips in advance, why can't we do the same for ourselves?
Water is one of nature's stress relievers. Preparing to arrive at the water, whether we want to take a plunge or just walk in the sand. Our bodies automatically start to de-stress and relax. Positive thoughts about our upcoming respite start to flood our heads. We know we are about to enjoy:
The fresh crisp sound and smell of the water,
the sand or grass -- dry or wet, near the water,
the sun's warmth all rolled into one location,
the true gift at the "one stop" relaxation station.
On arrival, mental peace and physical relaxation greet us. This is a time to receive from Nature's Bounty. We are stimulated, but stimulated to pause, breath, and relax. We have options:
- We can sit in the moist sand and meditate near the water, or we may sit in the dry sand or grass away from the water, and contemplate as we enjoy the waves dancing from a distance; this scene invites us, instinctively, to slow down.
- We may walk along the water's edge and enjoy the moist sand between our toes. We may decide to stand, like The Receiver in the picture, strike a pose, and soak in all that nature has so brilliantly provided. We should let the last bit of sun envelope us, while we measure our reflections and admire our silhouettes.
- We may look out into the sunset and lose ourselves as we move into the water, knee deep, allowing the waves to crash against our legs, which would sooth and refresh our bodies and souls. We should all experience at least one sunset, surrounded by water.
If possible, we should routinely take advantage of a sunset because it offers something that we can't purchase -- we can't enjoy it in the comfort of our homes -- we can't squeeze it in between meetings at the job. Most of us have that special treat that we feel we can't live without -- a special dessert, a massage, a power nap, or a secret self indulgence. Honestly, we can live without partaking of a beautiful sunset, but that would be like refusing to accept a special gift offered as a thank you from a cherished friend, mentor, or loved one.
We must realize, nature is offering a very special, one of a kind gift. But, we must make an effort to physically remove ourselves from the hustle and bustle of the day to day in order to collect the gift. We deserve nature's bequest. Nature has inexplicable characteristics, but one of the greatest is its unimaginable beauty; this awesome beauty effortlessly allows us to gain perspective because it connects our senses to natural elements: During the sunset encounter we can smell, taste, feel, and enjoy the water, air, earth (sand or grass), and open sky as the wind blows lightly, and the SUNSET slowly and magically permits us to enjoy this special time of day,
SUNSET.
Sitting or Standing
Upon
Neatly
Settled
Earth
Thinking
Let's allow ourselves to settle down and soak it in -- enjoy nature's gift of tranquility that uncannily reconnects us to ourselves. SUNSET -- What a gift!
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HuffPost's GPS for the Soul app is based on two truths about human beings. First: We all have a centered place of wisdom, harmony and balance within us. Second: We're all going to veer away from that place, again and again and again. What we need is a great course-correcting mechanism -- a GPS for the Soul -- to help us find our way back to that centered place, from which everything is possible.
Because no one knows better than you what helps you de-stress and tap into that place of peace inside yourself, it's important for you to create your very own GPS guide -- a personalized collection of whatever helps you course-correct. Email us at GPS@huffingtonpost.com and we'll set you up with your very own HuffPost blogger account to share your guide on the site. If you're already a blogger, we encourage you to upload your personal guide today. We can't wait to see what you have to share.