“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into the trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.”
John Muir

How beautiful John’s words are — and how true! When I spent time in Vermont recently, the green mountains worked their magic on me, leaving me feeling relaxed and refreshed.

So often, we get caught up, not just in our own routines, but in our own routes and ruts. We tend to travel the same way on our errands and walk the same way on our walks — I do, at least. But while consistency can be reassuring and calming, it can also be confining. That’s why it’s so energizing to take a break and see something new.

I can’t really say why, but driving around Vermont and visiting some of the small towns there has a soothing effect on me. Intentionally, I decided to take a break from working on my YA novel while I was away.

My goal was to return to it refreshed and remotivated enough to tackle my next round of changes with loads of enthusiasm and pep. I wanted to let nature’s peace flow into me as “sunshine into trees” and let the winds blow their freshness into me as well. While it’s been tough to retain that feeling, I’m working hard at it. It’s too delicious, delightful, and dangerous to let slip away. Write on!