What Opens Your Eyes?

I have really been thinking about what profound mind/body tip that I could give you today. I think the best thing I could really say to you is to just sit for a moment and think about what works best for you. What helps you take a step back and gets you out of your head to see the bigger picture? Leave a comment and share it with the rest of us!! Here are my favorites:

1. Get up high. I like to get up high and look down on the world below. No matter where I live I always seem to find a special spot for this. In Boston I had two favorites - the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge and the Zen Garden on the rooftop at Massachusetts General Hospital in the Yawkey Building. In Miami I have found a few different nice high bridges. In Maine and Alaska, I could always hike up to some place. When I am so high above the city and can look and see all the people that make up my little piece of the world it makes me realize just how small I am. It helps give me the reality check I need.

2. Beach time. No matter what, when I go to the beach all my problems seem to disolve. My mom used to tell me that the waves take your troubles away. In the Bahamas I was told that the beach is therapeutic to all people because it is where all of the earth's elements are at their greatest. The sky, the water, the sun, the sand - everything is huge. It's a time to just enjoy the moment and forget about the rest.

3. Work it out. Exercise is extremely therapeutic to me. When I am stressed, upset, trying to figure things out - I like to work out. I love riding my bike because it is a moving meditation. Sitting down to meditate is difficult when you have a lot on your mind. When you get on the bike, the repetitive motion helps calm the mind. Some people call it the "runner's high". Dr. Herbert Benson wrote a great book about how to get the Runner's High without all that running - it's called the Breakout Principle.

Now it's your turn! Share your tips by leaving a comment.