Tag: appreciation for life

Author's Life · Morning Thoughts · Senior Life

Snow, Nature and Me

Carol Ann Erhardt

I love the beauty of nature. I often post my morning view from my office window because I love the peace and serenity I see. God’s work. I love what is revealed in spring and summer, fall and winter. I did a little research and found the sounds of nature trigger the part of the brain that lets us experience rest and relaxation. This is truly what I gain from my views as I sit at my computer every day and watch the darkness turn to the light of day.

Yesterday it snowed. I love the snow. I love to see the flakes falling from the sky and slowly covering the earth like a comfy blanket. I no longer enjoy driving in the snow, as I did when I was younger, but from my office window I love what I see. In my research, I also learned that snow absorbs about 60% of background sound. I hadn’t realized how true that is! The morning sounds of traffic on the road adjacent to my condo complex is silent this morning, yet I hear the call of the geese even louder than usual. Yesterday, just as the snow started falling, the ground was filled with birds seeking what they could find before the snow covered their feasting place.

I heard them chattering even through my closed door as I took these pictures. I didn’t enjoy my drive to church as it was slow going, but there were those who didn’t want to be careful. I saw several cars that slid into the ditches along the rural roads I travel on.

The snow was a wet snow and I watched it continue to fall throughout the day. The snow for me means serenity and calm. A peaceful and quiet atmosphere. When I see the beauty God creates, whether in sunny weather or the cold of winter, I feel positive and filled with joy.

Senior Life

75 Day Soft Challenge

Carol Ann Erhardt2 Comments

Today I’m beginning the 75 day soft challenge. My youngest daughter has completed the 75 day hard challenge, and is doing it again. She is an athlete, a marathon runner, a brilliant, kind, loving, and beautiful mother, wife, and a Christian who sings for God with our church praise band. She is an inspiration to me.

I’m not of an age where I can contemplate handling the hard challenge, but I decided to read about it. When I did, I found there is a 75 day soft challenge. Thus, I became motivated to give this a try.

Not only will this help me stay on my healthier diet for my diabetes, but also for my personal exercise program which is perfect for my almost 79 year old body. Focusing on being thankful, positive, reading nonfiction, being still, learning, and scheduling time for something I’m passionate about while also getting the appropriate amount of exercise is a win-win.

I’m planning on recording my progress and thoughts daily in my Christian Planner. As long as God gives me a new day, I want to be aware and in each moment. I don’t want to become a couch potato as my mother did. Life is a gift. I want to be thankful and praise God for this gift. We have choices. We can waste the gift, or embrace it with gratitude and kindness.