Surprise

A late afternoon in June: Once again, I’m heading out in my wheelchair to explore the garden. I especially like to sit by our pond to see if there’s anything new. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been able to spot grass snakes time and again, and a few of the tadpoles are still swimming lively through the water. Suddenly, the water’s surface parts, and first the head and then the entire body of a toad appears. I’m a bit surprised to see it, since toads usually visit the pond in early spring and, as far as I know, otherwise tend to live on land, in damp spots and dark places. But on this June day, it’s apparently bath day, and the toad—presumably a lady toad—reveals herself to me in all her glory.

For me, experiences like these are like hitting the jackpot for my well-being. I love nature; I love wandering through our garden and discovering something new time and again. I recently downloaded an app that helps me identify plants. All of this does me good. But even so, I often have to consciously remind myself and make a point of integrating these little breaks into my life—ideally every day. Allowing myself this time to do nothing. Precisely because it does me good, precisely because it’s like a mini-vacation for my soul.

If you’ve read this blog post this far but are wondering why on earth a toad could evoke such feelings in someone, then you’re probably not much of a nature enthusiast. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t things in your life that are good for your soul and that you should incorporate into your day. Maybe it’s music, maybe it’s sports or a walk, maybe it’s a conversation with someone you love—a friend or your partner. It could also be a good book, a time of prayer, or… if you think about it, you’ll surely come up with something that does you good and is worth making a regular part of your life. Not as another chore, but because you’re worth it. Because in this often stressful, sometimes scary world, it’s important for you to find a place to recharge your soul.