Summer a Time To Relax, Meditate

A rich, elderly golfer was playing an appalling round at his exclusive club. By the 18th hole, he was 70 over par. Seeing a water hazard near the 18th green, the old fellow joked to his caddy, "The way I'm playing today I'd probably be better off going and drowning myself in that pond!" The caddy looked at him and coolly replied, "Frankly, I doubt if Sir could keep his head down long enough to drown!"

Golf is not the only occasion where keeping one's head down is crucial to success. In life, looking downward can lead to great results — it keeps one's nose from getting out of joint; it avoids sticking one's nose where it doesn't belong; it can lead to great relaxation techniques; and it can deepen one's relationship with God through meditation. A little silence in our noisy world goes a long way and casting one's eyes downward embraces the quiet.

When we baby boomers were kids, summer was designed to slow down the pace of the school year, inviting us kids to use our creativity in filling the time slots of both days and evenings. And so we went on bike rides, swam at the pool, played pick-up games of baseball and kick the can, and built forts. Today, our kids are often scheduled with activities as tightly as they are during the school year. I remember distinctly last August several middle school youth saying they couldn't wait for school to start so they wouldn't be so busy. Now if the kids are that busy, the adults are, too, which means there's very little time for introspection, meditation or relaxation. I can't look downward or within when I'm hurrying to get to my next scheduled event. (MORE)

Source: Green Bay Gazette