In the Swing of Things

It was a cool day like they usually are when September morphs into October. Speedy cars would pass occasionally and a few dogs of Mayberry barked a little bit. The most important thing at the time was that I kept going back-and-forth, back-and-forth.

I’ve done it on brisk days like this. I’ve done it on sunny days. Raining days remain my favorite time, the raindrops wrapping me up in a blanket of sound. Whenever I go out my front door and walk over and situate myself on the white-painted porch swing, I enjoy it.

Swinging makes me feel weightless. The rhythm of the movement puts me into a mental state like some kind of a meditation. Stress evaporates as my toes point upward and my knees bend and I move back-and-forth, back-and-forth. Sometimes one of the wire-haired terriers will insist on jumping onto my lap while I’m in motion. I welcome them. Two bodies sharing the flight, a delight.

I move continuously yet I stay in place. My mind clears. Problems are solved. Ideas come together. Best of all, bad notions fade away. Nearby, cyclists whir past and birds glide overhead. Is that a baking apple crisp in the air? In the swing, I’m calm as if I float in the ocean. The water may be hours from Mayberry, but my swing is steps away.

What clears your mind? Do you meditate? How do you manage your stress? Tell me about it.

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