MZD - Ep 69 Tranquility

  "If your mind is still… you can sense the peace that emanates from the earth." ~ Eckhart Tolle​ Welcome to Day 19 ~ Tranquility Here at Mountain Zen Den we are on a quest for love and simplicity, joy and tranquility, and energy and abundance through Nature. Each of these gifts can be found separately and together, as we seek to stay mindful, dwelling in the present moment. You don't always have to be out in nature to be present.  But Nature is an amazing catalyst for presence.  Presence is the place that is always with us. And it is what we are on a quest for today, and everyday that we choose to bring our "A Game", and be the best we that we can be! You know you can find a state of peace and tranquility whenever you want it.  Inner tranquility has little to do with your outer surroundings.  Inner tranquility is about your personal state of being.  However, you need to practice and create this state of being on a regular basis so that you can access it any time you feel anxious or overwhelmed no matter where you are. I love creating memories in beautiful places that I can return to whenever I feel the need for peace and solitude. Yesterday, about an hour before sunset, Melissa and I took a wonder-filled hike along a scenic rocky ridge that cradled a blissful mountain lake. The temperature was perfect for trekking, and the light and luminous clouds reflecting in the water created a heavenly, surreal setting. There was not another living soul to be found, and our hearts were light and full of joy. We could feel the burdens of the day slide down the hillside into the welcoming water below. As the sun slowly sank into the mountains on the other side of the lake, the wind picked up a notch, whispering through the scraggly ponderosa on the crest of the ridge. We both fell into a dreamlike state and the tranquility in this place was palpable. We took a seat on a comfortable rock and just absorbed the stillness of the last dying rays of the day. This is what we call a "Matterday", and is a moment we will always be able to remember and access in times of stress; a tool to be used for finding and practicing presence. James Allen said, "The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good.  Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom." Take a couple of deep, restorative breaths and enjoy the next few minutes in a state of serenity and tranquility deep within your spirit today. Hold on to this feeling as you go about your business today, seeking mindfulness and tranquility of spirit. Checklist for Day 19 ☐ MEDITATION:Day 19 – "Tranquility" ☐ NATURE WALK: In your 20 plus minutes spent outside today, set an intention that you will find and create moments of tranquility that you can store in your heart to access under times of stress and anxiousness.Find a place in Nature that gives you a sense of peace and calm, and just stay there a while enjoying the serenity of the moment. ☐ JOURNAL: What places and memories bring back the deepest sense of tranquility to your heart?What are you most grateful for today? If you've been hanging with us on the 21-Day Nature Challenge, thank you!   We have just 2 more days to go!  Enjoy your tranquility and we'll see you back here tomorrow...