I don’t think it’s a secret that I enjoy nature. There is something about being out in creation, alone or in company, that is truly awe inspiring and recharges my batteries. What you may not know is that I am a generally fearful person…I am afraid of heights, speed, water, fish, large mammals in the wild…the list goes on…
In the spirit of trying new things and being out in nature today, I went kayaking for the first time! I have been boating, jet skiing and canoeing, but kayaking had always intimidated me because of the close proximity to the actual water and the increased (at least in my mind) risk of flipping! Today was the day though, I went…I paddled…I conquered!
Sitting so low to the water was incredibly peaceful. Being in the “rapids” (they were choppier, faster and deeper than I’d hoped for…) was exhilarating. Mindfulness was not a hard state of mind to achieve when paddling or floating down the river. I spotted turtles, geese, ducks and numerous architectural oddities too!
DBT teaches us to accumulate positive events, which means to schedule fun stuff! As a mom of 3 that works full time, it’s hard. It takes effort. AND IT’S NECESSARY! If you want to have a relationship with yourself and others, you need to build into yourself and into your relationships. I challenge myself to take off one day each month to just be. It looks different every month; however, each month it’s crucial to reduce burnout and improve relationships. DBT teaches us to be mindful. Mindfulness allows our brains to get a break from all of the STUFF that is ever-circling. Mindfulness allows the dust to settle so that we can see clearly upon re-entry into our daily lives.
Take time. 
Be present.
Try new things. 
Accumulate positives in your life!
