06.01.07
Posted in Nature, Seasons at 1:55 pm by Ric
Used to be that I considered June 1st to be the start of summer. Maybe this stems from my school days when, as far as I was concerned, summer started when school ended. This year summer officially starts June 21st at 1:06pm.
Often times June 1st feels like summer, weather wise. This year not so. It still feels like spring. Humidity has been minimal. Things look so much greener in spring than they ever can in summer. My Dogwood bush is in full bloom and the aroma is heavenly.
Who knows what things will be like in a few days but this weather has been gorgeous.
Get out and enjoy it!
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05.28.07
Posted in Nature at 12:06 pm by Ric
Last week I visited the Audubon Rowe Sanctuary in central Nebraska. Walking some of the trails along the Platte River I saw a number of sign posts with qoutes about enjoying nature. I took a picture of one as a quick way to record the qoute for later use then decided that presenting them as picture here might make sense.
Some are on sign posts and some were posted inside an observation blind. The photo quality isn’t the greatest but you can get the ideas.
I hope you enjoy these!
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05.24.07
Posted in Nature at 5:15 am by Ric
As I write this I am sitting under one of my favorite trees. Part of the reason it is a favorite could have to do with the fact that it is located in a place I don’t get to visit very often, making it more special.
I am sitting at Fort Kearney State Rec Area. The tree is a Cottonwood, probably well over fifty years old. I’ve known this tree for 21 years. It once had four main trunks. One apparently fell in a storm. Another was cut, probably at the same time.
The two remaining trunks curve right and left, offering shade to anyone that cares to spend some time under it’s canopy.
The two lost trunks were the larger and taller by far. The remaining leaves seem meager by the usual standards of a Cottonwood this age. Yet they still provide shade, at this time of day, over an area about 50 by 75 feet plus another about 20 x 40.
This tree is clearly in it’s declining years yet it still offers sanctuary to the Oriole chattering and singing as I write and the Robin sitting on an end of a branch. The leaves still rustle in the wind providing one of the most delightful sounds of late spring, summer, and early fall.
Why is this tree one of my favorites? Because it offers me sanctuary. It’s canopy shields me from the most intense rays of the sun, allowing just enough to filter through it’s leaves, waving gently in the breeze, providing an ever changing light show. It allows me to witness the birds taking refuge there.
But wouldn’t most trees do that as well? Yes they would. This tree is special because it stands alone. The nearest tree is 100 feet away and it is quite small in comparison. I’ve always had a soft spot for trees that seem to be an oasis in the middle open area, even if that area is relatively small.
In this case the tree sits on the boundary of the park, right next to a corn field. Being close to field there is nothing to block the wind making the tree rustle all the more. Yet today there are occasional periods of complete stillness proving contrast.
Another reason I like this tree is history. Because it stands out I have always remembered this tree since the first year. I have watched it change and evolve. From something bigger and fuller to the declining tree it is now. This tree and I have history. I have evolved along with it. This tree reminds me of the old Chinese dictum, “Everything changes except the fact that everything changes”.
Today, as I write this, I find comfort under it’s branches.
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05.16.07
Posted in Nature, TCM, Seasons at 9:55 am by Ric
After several days of weather that at least made us think of summer, the temperatures have backed off a bit.
Most of last week and weekend I had a lot of yard work to do. I was wearing shorts all day. I wore sandals and no socks because my feet were hot. All my windows were open (my neighbors on both sides were running their air conditioners all day and night). At first it felt odd to be sweating while working but it quickly became a familiar condition. After a slow start due to the cold spell in April, trees have leafed out now. Mosquitos and other insects even made their appearance. Shades of summer!
When I woke yesterday morning, Tuesday 15th, it was overcast and felt downright cold in comparison.
When weather is consistent for awhile my body gets used to it. I tend to think it’s going to stay that way.
In this case it took me a few hours to except that it was too cold to have all the windows open. I put up with cold feet until I realized I need to wear socks again.
Even though I know better, I am surprised when shifts like this occur
I have to remind myself that spring is a transitional season, taking us from the dry, bitter cold of winter to the hot humid days of summer, the extremes of yin and yang. While winter and summer offer relatively consistent weather, spring and fall are highly variable. Spring weather can be winter or summer like and everything in between, often covering great territory in the course of a few minutes.
Yesterday was a good example. It was heavily overcast, breezy, and quite cool. Then for awhile the sun came out and the wind eased and it started feeling a little summer like for awhile. As the earth is moving closer towards the sun, the sun plays an even bigger role in our comfort.
When I get busy working, as I was last week, it is easy to slip out of the “being” mode and get in the “doing” mode. When I stay tuned into my surroundings I’m more in sync with the changes, living in harmony.
Actually the variations and subtilties of spring are something I treasure.
Enjoy spring while it’s here!
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05.02.07
Posted in Nature, Wellness at 9:03 am by Ric
Of all the posts I’ve added since I began this weblog, more than half have been primarily about nature observation or season change. I knew it would take this slant be maybe not that much. Since my practice deals with wellness and helping others restore comfort and balance to their lives why all the emphasis on nature?
When we notice our surroundings we are more connected with them and we see ourselves as part of a bigger picture. In the process our wellness is improved and our life is more in balance.
For most people that come to my office, stress is a large issue. I know from my years of working in a stressful corporate job that if I put all my energy into the task in front of me and tune out my surroundings I also lose touch with myself and my body. I’m operating mostly out of my head. It is when we lose this awareness of self that we fall into patterns of discomfort. When we break the connection with our tasks, even briefly, and return to ourselves it allows our body to do it’s job of keeping us in balance and comfort.
When we cast our gaze outward at our environment it helps get us out of our heads. By honing our skills at observation it allows us to make a healthy habit of being a part of our surroundings rather than separate from them. When we take the larger view we use more of ourselves. This balance of self benefits our physical, emotional, and even spiritual life.
We spend much time each day outside even if just it’s walking to our car or driving to work. Even if we work in a sea of concrete and buildings there is still natural light (and dark). There is wind, blue sky and clouds. Even the unnatural sounds become a part of the environment. Cars passing by echo against the buildings. Horns honking, people walking, construction sounds. They all remind us that we are a part of something bigger.
Observation is a skill we have all possessed. Young children are naturally inquisitive. No one looks with more awe at their surroundings than a child. As adults this awe is not lost, just forgotten. With practice we can get it back. It only takes a few seconds to do so.
What are you noticing?
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04.22.07
Posted in Nature, Wellness at 4:48 pm by Ric
I went to a city park last night an hour or so before sunset, set up a lawn chair and just watched. The last two hours, or so, of the day is my favorite time. At this time things take on a glow and the angle of the sun creates shadows, for instance in the ridges of the tree bark, giving much depth to everything. This is in contrast to the flat lighting of 2PM.
I walk through this park often but sitting and doing nothing I was amazed at how much I saw besides the usual song birds:
- Across a small stream I saw two deer that stayed within view the entire hour I was there.
- Nearby was a Beaver, not in the water but moving in and out of the ground cover.
- A pair of Wood Ducks landed in the stream. After a while the male flew out and circled the park before returning to the water.
- At least 30 feet up in a tree four very small, young squirrels, apparently too young to stray far from the nest, none the less seemed to have a great time climbing around the branches up to 10 feet away, sometimes chasing each other, sometimes hanging upside down under a branch.
- Several adult, or at least adult sized, squirrels foraging on the ground.
- Birds that I don’t usually see in town. Couldn’t identify most but I think one was a Phoebe.
- On top of all that the Cottonwood trees were starting to leaf out, the first tree leaves I’ve seen this year.
There were a lot of people around engaged in various activities. None seemed to notice all the activity I saw.
It’s amazing what you can find when you just stop and notice. “Being” rather than doing.
Just be.
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04.17.07
Posted in Nature, Wellness at 11:49 am by Ric
I made a trip to Iowa this past weekend and visited the Ledges State Park. The most notable feature of this outing was the ubiquitous presence of Turkey Vultures. This was probably due to hills which provide updrafts for these huge birds to soar on. I was reminded just what an inspiration soaring birds are, Turkey Vultures in particular.
Facts
Turkey Vultures probably got their name due to their red head which resembles that of a Turkey. The red is from their skin, the head being naked. This is likely an adaptation due to the fact that they stick their heads in animal carcasses which they feed on. The fact that they dead things turns some people off but this is a good thing if you think about it. Nature needs a cleaning crew. It also doesn’t detract from the beauty of their flight.
Turkey Vultures can be seen, commonly, in the state of Nebraska from March through October.
Their most common mode of flight is soaring, flying without flapping their wings. They do this by holding their wings out and allowing updrafts to lift them. Updrafts are caused when moving air hits structure like hills, trees, buildings, etc. They are also caused by rising heat from earth warmed by the sun.
This effortless flight allows the Vulture to conserve energy that flapping wings would quickly use up. This is useful when meals are often far and few between.
Turkey Vultures have the most aerodynamically efficient wings of all birds, achieving the greatest amount of lift from updrafts.
The wing span of a Turkey Vulture is 6 feet, making it almost as large as an Eagle. It can be easily identified in flight because it holds it’s wings in a V-Shape. For a better picture go here and here.
Turkey Vultures are one of the few birds that have a sense of smell, useful in finding it’s food.
Why Should We Care?
It’s hard for me not to be mesmerized by soaring flight. Nature provides us a way to get out of our ego-self and connect outward, greatly improving our sense of well-being. Birds that soar, at least for me, seem to become a vehicle for my own spirit to soar on.
Turkey Vultures in particular make flight look so effortless. In heavy winds they rock back and forth, going with the flow, rather than fighting it. In Colorado I once saw a Vulture flying near the top of a mountain. The wind was so strong it was spun upside down. It simply allowed itself to complete the circle and right itself again. I think there is lesson in this.
The next time you are driving a highway watch for these birds (OK, if you are the driver, for safety sake, don’t look). If you are anywhere out in the country, especially near hills, you are likely to see them.
Spend a few minutes watching their flight and see if you aren’t changed in some way.
May your spirit soar…
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04.11.07
Posted in Nature, Seasons at 9:37 am by Ric
Spring comes up in many of my conversations this time of year. Previous posts the past few weeks should show my passion for this season. I often start a conversation by asking people if they are enjoying spring. Lately the response is something like, “when it gets here I will”.
Many garden flowers have bloomed. Trees have flowered. The Redbuds and Magnolias were quite noticable. We had windows open, got out the fan, spent as much time outside as possible. I was even thinking about camping.
Lately we’ve had fairly cold weather, a contrast to the gorgeous weather a few weeks ago.
Actually it’s all relative. If we had a 40 degree day during winter we would think it was a good day. One thing I have to keep reminding myself is that Spring and Fall are transition seasons. We almost always get a wide variety of weather conditions. Winter and Summer usually provide three months of fairly consistent tempratures. Spring and Fall bridge the gap between the two extremes of cold and hot.
I was going through some old pictures of my dogs. I found some dated April 14, 1997 of my dogs in the back yard with several inches of snow on the ground.
I tend to easily remember the best weather in spring but when I really think about it I remember that the gorgeous days are separated by many days of variable weather.
This is what spring looks like. I love warm weather but on days like this, with a light snow falling as I write, I like to focus on the changes that have happened. Everything is still quite green. Looking at distant landscapes there is so much more to notice than the flat look of winter. The birds haven’t stoped their activities.
Enjoying spring! Dreaming of picnics!
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04.06.07
Posted in News at 8:34 am by Ric
On April 21st I will be putting on a workshop on Ortho-Bionomy®.
WHAT: Ortho-Bionomy® Workshop
WHEN: April 21, 9:00 - 11:00
WHERE: The Paxton, 15th & Farnam - Suite 216
COST: $30 (Fee waived if registered by April 14th)
This workshop is being sponsored by Yocum and Associates, LLC as part of a Total Wellness outreach. The mission of Yocum and Associates is to guide individuals towards reaching their full potential through a variety of services, financial, legal, medical, and complementary wellness.
Ortho-Bionomy is a form of bodywork that relieves pain, immobility, and imbalance due to injury or stress. It is a process that retrains the body to find comfort and balance. It works by tapping into our innate self-healing, self-balancing abilities. Although it works at the deepest levels it is gentle and affirming.
In this workshop you will learn what Ortho-Bionomy is and how it can benefit your life. You can experience Ortho-Bionomy first hand with a mini-session from a registered practitioner. You’ll also learn how you can apply Ortho-Bionomy’s principals to your own self-care routines, to your daily life, and even to life’s problems.
Food will be served after the workshop.
Limited seats available!
To register or for more information contact:
Ric Chamberlin - info@omahahealingconnection.com
Darcy Yocum - DYocum@hughes.com
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04.01.07
Posted in Wellness at 1:38 pm by Ric
Many people experience difficulty sleeping. We are reminded of this almost daily if we watch television. Although most of us may not be depriving chess playing beavers of our company, sleeplessness does take it toll on us during the day.
If you are looking for a natural sleep aid you might try Lavender essential oil. Research has shown that breathing the aroma effects the alpha waves of the brain creating a sense of relaxation and well-being.
My own expereience is been amazing. When I diffuse Lavender oil into my bedroom I rarely have trouble sleeping or wake up in the middle of the night. My sleep seems deeper.
I use a simple diffuser placed near my bed that blows air through a pad containing a few drops of the oil. You can create a makeshift diffuser by taking a cotton ball and partially breaking it apart until you have flat piece of cotton which allows the air to pass through. Place a 5 to 15 drops of oil on the cotton and tape it to a small fan or heat/air register.
A simpler method is to place the cotton under your pillow where it will be close to your nose.
Another effective technique is to sit in a warm tub with 3 to 7 drops of Lavender before retiring.
One thing I have noticed is that after using Lavender every night for weeks it started to seem less effective. I stoped using it for a few weeks and then it was very effective again. Now I use it when I think I might have trouble and make sure I don’t use it every night.
Everyone is different and this may not work for all but it’s certainly an inexpensive, safe remedy to try.
For more information see two articles of The Healing Connection website, Lavender—King of Essential Oils? and Aromatherapy - A Beginners Guide.
Pleasant dreams!
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