Until recently the weather was always thought to be a safe topic of conversation. Not anymore. Today it’s up there with religion and politics. It’s rather hard not to notice the weather over the past several weeks. Heat, heat and more heat. (we had some serious fires in Colorado too!) The word “extreme” is used often in terms of describing the current weather situation. And as the heat and effects of drought affect agriculture across the country, speculation about spikes in food prices also works it’s way into the national conversation. So does the cost of energy with regard to air conditioning. Meanwhile over in Ireland last month, extreme weather was described often in terms of rain (a very wet spring & summer due to a shift in the Gulfstream… due to melting ice sheets from Greenland). It’s a well known fact that when ambient temperatures increase, so does stress (primarily anger). It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that as changes in global warming increase and continue, stress, in all it’s many forms will most likely increase as well. In the words of Al Gore, “The warnings about global warming have been extremely clear for a long time. We are facing a global crisis. It is deepening. We are entering a period of consequences.”
Stress Tip for the Day:
To live in harmony with nature means many things, not the least of which means to live in a correct pace of nature. Summer heat tends to cause one to slow down (good idea!). It’s also a reminder to eat less, as we expend less calories. We should take the hint and begin to live a slower paced life. A slower paced life could include sitting on your front or back porch in the late afternoon/evening getting to know your neighbors, too. It might include preparing some vegetarian meals (cool fruits and veggies for diner). Take time to slow down today, and the rest of the summer. Drink some iced tea. And give thanks for the invention of AC. If you find your buttons getting pushed, remember anger and heat connection. Don’t give your power away.
Links, Books and Movies Worth Noting:
If you haven’t see Al Gore’s movie (lately) it might serve as a great refresher of what is going on now.
Here is an article from the Huffington Post worth reading:
Quote for the Day:
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature, the assurance that dawn comes after night and spring after winter.” — Rachel Carson.
Photo for the Day:
Today’s flower is a fuchsia bloom that I photographed at the base of Crough Patrick near Westport Ireland. By the way, I have noticed that some of my plants that don’t usually bloom until August started blooming the last day of June. Ugh!
Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 12 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (7e) and the newly released, A Beautiful World: The Earth Song Journals. He can be reached through his website: www.brianlukeseaward.net
© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.
I’ve noticed more road rage lately too. It follows. I love your suggestions for slowing down in the heat. Time to step out of the multitasking mold and do some old fashioned porch sitting! Thanks Luke.