Recently I had an interesting experience…
It was a Sunday morning after a particularly stressful week and I decided to wake early and make our weekly grocery store run, by myself, for some piece and quiet. I was seeking some room for my mind to wonder, relax, only contemplating freshness of produce and what to make for our family’s dinner.
The trip through the store was pleasant enough. The store seemed to be populated with those of us trying to achieve the same thing. Getting away from the chaos.
As I was leaving, feeling calm and refreshed, I noticed a couple that might intersect me at a walkway. I proceeded because I thought I had plenty of room to turn before they reached the intersection. After I turned I glanced in my side mirror to make certain that the couple had enough room. It seemed as though they did not as the woman violently gestured to me, and as a result I gasped and held my mouth agape. She must have seen me because she smiled wide and waved, as though immensely satisfied her blow had struck home.
I was devastated.
I could not comprehend in that moment how someone could have so much anger at 7 am on a Sunday morning on a relaxing stroll with their spouse.
But what is true today is that there are a lot of people with so much anger. It is as if we have forgotten to see the best in situations, the best in each other and are reluctant to give one another the benefit of the doubt. I was, and still am, greatly saddened by that situation. So much so that I am writing this on our company’s blog in order to put something positive into a world that has become one I no longer want to recognize.
Those of us that have stress, have hardships, have pain…those of us that may not have the strength or support to get through it with positivity…consider this…
Start by finding beauty in the nature that surrounds you. Take time to walk, sit and drink up the colors, textures and serenity of public parks and nature preserves. Consider planting a garden, it is such a labor of love and provides such a feeling of accomplishment. Seek a little peace in that which provides boundless beauty.
Each night I say to my family, “let’s go on a garden walk!” Sometimes I get resistance of why or I’m too busy, but on the nights when we spend 20 minutes looking to see what is blooming, what is changing, what smells gorgeous, we find commonality and peace.
That is what we should all be looking for.
- Donna Vignocchi Zych, President