By Pattie Mihalik

’Tis the season to be jolly.

That’s what we’re told.

How many jolly people do you see in your everyday life? How about at the shopping mall, department store or grocery store?

Do people look jolly? Or do they look stressed?

Right before Thanksgiving I found myself balancing too many balls up in the air at the same time. To my normal, busy life I had to schedule too many doctor’s appointments. I also had to spend too much time trying to find contractors when they are very much in demand after the hurricane.

I love cooking. It’s one way I relax. But as I was rushing to buy groceries and cook my husband’s favorite Thanksgiving foods, I wasn’t feeling relaxed.

I was feeling stressed.

So I walked away from my kitchen and from all the anxieties I had piled up in my head.

I went on vacation. A mini vacation.

I didn’t have to go far, just to the pond across the street. I went there because I saw a lot of activity.

Five ducks, including three little ones, were out for an outing.

So were several anhinga, a dozen ibises and a majestic blue heron.

I just stayed still, taking in the feast of nature right before my eyes.

As I stayed there hidden by the palm trees, dozens of birds I never saw before flocked to the perimeter of the pond. They were black with white wings and long orange beaks. Later my neighbor told me they were whistling ducks.

I don’t think so, but it doesn’t matter. All that mattered to me while I stood there appreciating the wildlife was that my little mini nature vacation was working.

All my stress evaporated. Even my breathing changed.

Biologists have documented the physical changes that happen when we spend time on or near the water.

It’s been documented that sitting quietly at the ocean has the ability to act as a visual tranquilizer, slowing our breathing and upping our mood.

Well, I think the same thing must happen when we feast on nature. I know it certainly does for me.

But I can’t just look at nature and say, “Oh, that’s nice.”

I also have to clear my mind. I have to stop my mind from its jumble of thoughts and free myself from all worries as well as thinking about schedules and all plans. My mini nature vacation only works its magic when I can cleanse myself of all thoughts except the scene before me.

I don’t know about you, but I often have a hard time clearing my mind of all its clutter. I lose the present moment from existence because my cluttered mind takes over all my thoughts, distracting me from the moment at hand.

It happens sometimes when I go for my daily gratitude walk. Sometimes all my gratitude is buried under busy thoughts that cram inside my brain, taking over my mind.

There are times when I’ve walked a few blocks without seeing or feeling anything because I’m too preoccupied with what’s going on inside my head.

When I realize what’s happening, I can shake myself mentally to clear my cluttered mind. Then I can truly enjoy my walk.

Psychologists call it “living the moment.”

Social psychologist Fred Bryant calls it “mindful savoring.” He says it’s a skill few people have mastered.

He says that under the weight of daily responsibilities and everyday worries we reflexively tune out the fleeting spontaneous events that could bring more peace and joy.

Perhaps he means things like moments in nature that can soothe and relax us … maybe even make us smile.

What I call my mini nature break is actually a form of mindful savoring. I clear my mind and simply enjoy what I see.

I momentarily stop living inside my head where there’s always too much going on. When I can manage to clear it all away, I can soak up the moments of pleasure that are mine to enjoy.

It always works for me in my kayak the moment I glide into the water. Keen appreciation takes over. I never have a problem with mindful savoring when I’m on the water. Kayaking, boating or just wading in the ocean — it’s all nothing but pleasure.

When I think about it, anything we find pleasurable usually has the ability to command all of our senses. We don’t think about house repair or paying bills when we’re having fun, do we?

When I was young, I never heard the phrase “mindful savoring.” But I sure knew how to do it. All kids do.

Do you think any kid at a playground flies on a swing while he worries about a problem in his life? Do you think any kid loses the present moment because he’s making plans for the future?

No, kids are masters at living in the moment.

For me, living only in the moment is just another one of the things that used to come naturally. But now I have to work to attain it.

The good thing is, as we get older we do learn how to readjust our thinking and fine-tune our attitude so that we can better appreciate our days.

In the busy weeks ahead, I may need more mini nature breaks.

I will also keep reminding myself to savor the moment at hand.

Contact Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcast.net.