Listen to the wind and go outside and enjoy it


Many centuries ago the Greeks made beautifully carved wind chimes from cedarwood and pipes of beaten brass. They placed them in the windows and doorways of their homes and temples, where the chimes caught the breeze and played evocative, magical music.

To soothe your senses, relax your mind and connect with the natural world, not much beats sitting under a leafy tree and watching the first stars of evening appear, while listening to the sound of a warm breeze flirting with a wind chime.

Buy a wind chime and hang it high up in a tree, or near a door or hallway where it will catch the breeze. When you hear it play, think about the nature of the wind: it can be strong enough to rattle windows or even blow roofs off houses, yet soft enough to barely tickle your face and lift your hair off your neck. You, too, are strong and determined – and yet you have the capacity to be playful, gentle and surprising. Listen to your wind chime’s beautiful, everchanging melody, and imagine yourself moving and adapting, dipping and swaying in life’s dance.

Up, up, up on a swing, up in the air so blue … Every child has thought that, if they can just manage one more big push while on a swing, they will be able to reach the sky. Swings are perennial favourites with children, but there’s no rule that says stressed, jaded, out-of-touch adults can’t hop aboard and be liberated from the relentless round of work cares.

A swing is one of the simplest and most relaxing pleasures life has to offer. Parks and playgrounds often provide swings that you can visit at lunch-time, or you can easily rig up your own in your backyard if you have a sturdy tree. No tree? You can purchase a swing with a metal or wooden frame in kit form, which you can assemble and bolt together yourself.

No garden? Buy a swing chair for your porch, terrace or balcony, one of the old-fashioned ones with a canopy. Curl up on the seat, and rock gently to and fro. Lazing on a swing brings quick relief from the cares of the world and is the epitome of lazy, languid Sunday afternoons when you should have nothing to do except read a little and eat and doze a lot.

Better yet – if you have the courage – slide down a hill, and get grass stains all over the back of your pants.

Find a sturdy cardboard box – preferably one that’s at least 6 mm thick. Cut out the base of the box; this will give you a sled-like piece large enough to sit on with your knees bent, your hands holding on to the front edge. Climb up a nice green hillside and then slide down.

Or just lie on the grass, horizontal to the fall of the hill, and flip yourself over – and over – and over – as you roll and bump your way down. Smell the earth, get bits of grass in your hair, and whoop till you’re breathless. Your heart’s racing – what a blast!

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