Did you ever have the kind of day when everything was going as you had planned? I recently had that kind of day, then something happened to change all that.

I had a scheduled doctor appointment and left work in the early afternoon for a routine checkup. While at the doctor’s office we began talking. She is always so caring and interested in my well being and takes the time to listen and talk with me. The doctor asked me how things were going in my life and I told her about a couple of pressing issues. She listened intently to what I had to say. When I was through talking she blurted out, “You need to go to the park, Don’t go back to work.” What? “Yes, that is where I want you to go. Its not far from here, just around the corner. You will find trees, ducks, water, trails, sunshine and peacefulness.” She told me that she often goes there. “That’s my prescription for you.” She left the room and came back with a large yellow pad of paper and a pen. “I want you to write down all of your thoughts, feelings and whatever comes to mind. Enjoy your day.” I was excited like a little child upon hearing this. Go to the park in the middle of the day? Sounds good to me. Hip hip hooray!

I drove around the corner to the park. There was only one other car there. It was quiet. I grabbed my red plaid blanket and sack lunch. As I walked toward the trees, I noticed that the autumn leaves were showing off, changing colors to the bright reds, oranges and golds. They literally took my breath away. I saw the walking trails leading into the woods. Then I came to a small, arched wooden bridge. As I walked across it I noticed a park bench just waiting for me and as I sat down, I noticed lots of mallard ducks swimming around this huge pond. Some of them were dunking their heads in the water, others were playing together and a couple of them were squabbling at each other. What a perfect day this was! The warmth of the sun was peeking through the trees and the sky was partly cloudy. It was like I had this whole area to myself... just the ducks, squirrels, birds and me. I observed how effortlessly the ducks floated along in the water doing their own thing. I could tell by the breeze that autumn was upon us. The ducks kept coming towards me and quacking, wanting to connect. Maybe they knew I had brought them some lunch. I opened my bag and shared my lunch with them. Many came right up to me. They trusted me. They came out of the water and up to the bench where I was, quacking louder the closer they came. I was in my own world. I needed this day.

While feeding the ducks, I recalled how as a little girl my Dad would always buy bread and take us kids to feed the ducks at a nearby pond. We all loved it. It was our special time together.

The wind gently whisking through the trees made the leaves rustle as if they were applauding me for being there.

It was so peaceful here that I began to feel calm inside. I even laid down on the park bench for awhile, covered up and took in all the sounds of nature. A duck flew in and skimmed the top of the water. Others quacked and floated in little groups. The sound of the crickets echoed throughout the area. The warm sun shined on me as it peeked through the trees and the birds chirped and sang making a melody of sounds. The squirrels and chipmunks chased each other through the woods. All of these sounds of nature created the perfect background to lull me to sleep on this perfect autumn day.

Time passed...

I awoke to the rumbling of thunder. The sun was now hidden in the sky. I got up, said goodbye to all of the friends I’d made this day and slowly walked to the car. As soon as I got there, it began to pour. I had made it just in time.

The peace of this day was just what I needed, just what the doctor ordered!

Sometimes we need to stop our world and get away, alone. I did what I needed to do for ME. My doctor reminded me how important it is to have some time alone, to write, feel and just be.

Inner peace has much to do with
the expression of what takes place
on the outside

In her book, Girl in Hyacinth Blue, Diane Vreeland states that after one hundred days of confinement following a bone marrow transplant, she rejoiced in taking short walks to a nearby park. The uncertainty of her survival made every blade of grass gorgeous in its green intensity, lifting itself up, doing its part to make the world beautiful. Every breeze touching her neck was a gift, revitalizing her. She looked at the world tenderly, intensely and gratefully.

Instead of rushing through life, we can give ourselves permission to stop and experience special moments and take walks in the park, appreciating what we have and breathing in the beauty around us.

Connect with the God essence which created this universe.

No God
no peace

Know God
know peace.

Gerri Magee is director of advertising and public relations and assistant to the editor of phenomeNEWS. She continues to share her thoughts “On The Path” in this column. She can be reached at gerri@phenomenews.com.