This week, Anne asks us: ”…what relaxes you?”
What gets you away from the stresses of daily life. What’s your passion?

I am fortunate to have many passions…

Don’t make things too complicated. Try to relax, enjoy every moment, get used to everything.

– Angelique Kerber

For me, as for so many of us, Mother Nature offers the greatest remedy, against stress, a troubled world, a troubled mind. Soon Spring will be here too, which adds to the overall well being. Birds are singing every day, but it is still very cold and there are no flowers yet. The nights are freezing, but the forest is beautiful any season.

To see a world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower Hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour.

– William Blake

The Anemone Hepatica is what I am waiting for now – usually coming at the end of March – but no signs yet. We’ve had a very cold winter this year, which is good for getting rid of the less wanted creatures, like ticks and invasive snails.

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.

– Robert A. Heinlein

Being with my dog, walking, talking, playing, is an endless source of relaxing. We love finding new places and exploring new paths every day.

The main thing to do is relax and let your talent do the work.

– Charles Barkley

I have also found my way back to painting – and I love art in almost any form. When I paint, time doesn’t exist.

If you do what you love, it is the best way to relax.

– Christian Louboutin

Photography has always been relaxing, always will be. It’s enough to pick up my camera and head for the forest, the lake or the open landscape. Some interesting travels every year add to this joy as well.

Reading a good book used to be my favourite source of relaxing, but I have found that today I enjoy more creativity now that I am retired and have much time to myself. The thing is to be able to let go of time and space…to immerse oneself in something that will not let the stressful thoughts in. I am grateful for that gift. My two children have it too, but I don’t know how many young people who have that today. As a parent and grandparent, I believe you have to hand over that gift early in their life…help them to appreciate Nature, and moderate social media and screens before they get forever lost there.

Thank you, Anne, for a great theme that made me evaluate some of my choices in life again. And many thanks to all of you who sent marvelous journeys, big and small, to my challenge last week! I’ve done some interesting reading and thinking about life and how to live it. What we treasure, what we remember and what we decide to pass on.

Tag your post with Lens-Artists and see you there! Next week Tina will be our host – so please go to her site for inspiration!