'How beautiful life is.'

[Jeff1943]

These were the last words of Anne Boleyn, wife of King Henry VIII, before her execution 500 years ago. When preoccupied with other worries and anxieties it is easy to overlook the beauty all around us: some things the work of nature, others made by man and woman.

Many reading this today will be aware of the lift that comes when we leave our couch and enter the outdoor world. The soothing green of leaves and lawns, the majesty of trees silhouetted against a powder blue sky with brilliant white clouds scudding by. The wind in our face and the sun on our backs raise us up: suddenly the world is not such a bad place after all, maybe there is hope for us yet. Who has not felt these things at some time?

Preoccupied with our own fears and obsessions it is so easy to walk past these things eyes wide-open shut, deep in anxious and depressive thoughts.

Let us not leave it until the last moments, like the eighth Henry's hapless wife, to be moved by these things. The mocking phrase 'You really should get out more' is meant as a jest but there is much truth in it despite that.

Instead of wishing dark clouds away forsake the false comfort of the couch and let the healing nature of park, countryside and coast raise us up.

Spring comes again!

[mydogs]

Thank you Jeff. X

[Agora1]

How true in that the beauty of nature is all around us.

Thanks Jeff Happy Spring

[hypercat54]

I must be strange then Jeff as nature doesn't do much for me and the countryside makes me anxious. But give me a city and I feel at home. Am I the only one who feels like this?

[Agora1 in reply to hypercat54]

Hi hypercat, when I said nature, it's the city I live in. I wouldn't even know what a countryside looks like lol *not in Chicago anyway... I look at the sky, clouds, trees and

people on the streets. It makes me feel that nothing has change and the world stays

the same. That is until you put on the news and reality sinks in.

You aren't strange by any means. We each feel comfortable in a different situation and

there's is nothing wrong with that. xx

[Jeff1943 in reply to hypercat54]

Thank Heaven we are not all made the same.

[hypercat54 in reply to Jeff1943]

Oh I do like the nature in a city like Agora says. So maybe I am not so strange!

[Hidden]

Much appreciated Jeff1943. x

[Hidden]

Yeah, Jeff, I am in total agreement. Outdoors with nature and animals do it for me. That's why everyone in this group should make sure they get out everyday.

[Hidden]

Jeff, that's some lavender field Kamfail Lau posted huh.