Maybe everyone here should take some time off from the forum for a bit -- do whatever you like that calms you down and clears your head.
This past weekend, after feeling rather discouraged by things in general, I had the pleasure of taking a canoe trip on a section of the French Broad River in North Carolina.
The tranquilty of quietly paddling down the river, away from the news or tv or the computer or others distractions of civilization, did wonders for my soul. Just the gentle murmur of the water, the singing of birds along the shore, the brilliant colors of wildflowers, the clear blue sky above strectching outwards into infinity was a much needed antidote to the noise of our culture and the events of the past week, shouted so loudly and shrilly to the point where one can hardly think anymore.
On the river there was no Bush. There was no Bin-Laden. There was no sign anywhere, no hint at all, of war or terrorism or any of the stupid things that people do to one another. Just the peaceful, simple beauty of mother nature, whose quiet voice is all too often drowned out by the din of our "sophisticated" culture. Just a chance to listen undistracted to mother nature's quiet whisperings, and the silent wisdom of the heart.
I returned with my soul filled.