By Christine Murray I have a small obsession every spring in North Carolina: Pink dogwood tree blossoms! Every spring, I’m always on the lookout for pink dogwood blooms, and this past spring was no exception. I snapped this photo on one of my springtime walks when I found one along my path: I have nothing against the more common white dogwood flowers, and I also took this picture in my neighborhood this spring: I love it when all of the dogwood trees are in bloom, as this is always a sign of warmer temperatures ahead, but there’s just something extra special about the pink ones to me. I think I love them so much because they’re rarer than the white dogwood blossoms. I’d estimate that for every 20 or more white dogwood trees I see, I see one pink one. Something about the pink ones just calls my name, and I truly feel so much joy whenever I find one I can get close enough to admire and take a picture of!
I must confess, however, that I’ve not always been the type of person to allow myself to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life like spotting a favorite tree blooming in spring. Especially when times are busy–like the season of job transition and other life changes that I’ve been in the midst of for a while now–I’ve had a hard time finding the space to enjoy simple pleasures and stay present in the moment. And yet, it’s actually during the busiest seasons in life that it can be most important to practice mindfulness and to allow ourselves to enjoy simple joy amidst the busyness. Finding joy in simple things during busy times of transition is important because it can bring a sense of calm amid chaos. If you’re like me and find yourself having a hard time slowing down enough to enjoy simple moments, here are a few tips:
It’s June now, so pink dogwood season is already in the past here in North Carolina. I’ve had to look for other little sources of joy now, and I encourage you to do the same. Embracing moments of simple joy–even during really busy times–goes a long way toward fostering our mental health and keeping us grounded in the present moment. What simple joys might you seek out today?
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AuthorThis blog is written by Christine E. Murray, Ph.D., Founder of Start Here Counseling & Consulting, PLLC. Archives
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