Fallton Havenstonne

The day is in full swing by the time the afternoon starts. The sun is up and we’re active and busy with the tasks for the day.

For some, the afternoon might begin with lunch, and for others, it’s a race to finish a mountain of work. It might be the busiest time of the day if their is a deadline ahead, or it might be the slowest if the workday is winding down.

When the workday ends, it’s a race to drive home–to beat the rush hour traffic. We look forward to our time of rest, to not think about the stresses of work.

The afternoon can be filled with appointments or meetings. Or it can be filled with opportunities to create and to make something new.

On the weekends, the afternoon is when everything happens: birthday parties, barbecues, picnics, you name it. It’s a time to go outside and relax in the sun. It’s a good time to do yard work and to get things done around the home. It’s a good time to enjoy the weather, a time to enjoy life.

Before the morning begins, a dream is coming to an end. We wake up and a vestige of that reality lingers in our mind. We hardly recall it while we’re awake, but we know we lived in it and that it was real.

The day starts off slow. We want to go back to sleep, but the morning light burns through our eyelids. Waking up in the morning is never easy. Shower. Dress. Eat. Drink coffee. Go to work . . .

Rather than feeling motivated, it weighs on us with all the things we need to do.

We know it will have its trials, but every day has them. It doesn’t matter what happened yesterday. We have a full day to make things right, or at least, improve upon yesterday.

The morning brings new opportunities, a new set of experiences. Sometimes the morning crescendos with us hurrying, then settles down once work begins. There’s a lot to do in the morning, but there’s a whole day ahead of us.

Or any flowers you like . . . which could be added to the phrase.

Perhaps the most important part of that phrase is the word “stop”, since the point is to stop what we’re doing to get some fresh air–keep the stress of the situation from wearing us down.

Of course, we can use artificial scents that can be plugged into the wall (such as the smell of roses) if we want to smell roses all the time. To smell a rose in terms of what the quote implies, one would most likely have to go outside to a garden or an area with flowers and plants.

Even when we’re outside, we might miss the roses because we’re so caught up with what we’re doing that we don’t notice them. Not only roses, but the greenery, insects, sky, weather, and the people around mesh to a blur as we focus on what we’re occupied with.

The root of the phrase is about taking a step back from the microcosm of our world to the macrocosm of the world around us. Roses are something that are around us that have a particular scent which is welcoming. To stop and smell the roses is an act of outward awareness, of being cognizant of our environment.

On a grander scale, we step outside of the maze and confusion of our thoughts and become cognizant of the beauty around us. When we become aware of it, the world seems a lot less confusing and stressful. We get perspective, and realize that perhaps the situation at hand isn’t worth all the attention we’re giving it.

There’s something fascinating about seeing rocks and water in a riverbed, bank, pier or stream. Even waterfalls bring a rush of excitement and serenity as the water flows down from the cliff and crashes into the stream. It’s like something magical is happening, yet it is the most natural thing.

We can meditate on rocks and water, ponder the unpredictable movements of the stream, the glassy reflection, the rippling sound that hurdles through the air. It can make us wonder its origin or the life that live in the stream.

As water flows between the rocks during a rapid, it gives the current a sense of determination, purpose and will. It’s almost as if the water is racing toward the end of the river where it might join an ocean or some other stream. Meanwhile, the fishes and other organisms that live in the water use it like a highway to make it to its next destination–its next home.

When the water is calm and settled, there is a peace to it that is kind of like standing in the middle of a forest and looking straight up into the sky. At that moment, you can see the clouds as they slowly glide across the sky as if the earth were standing still. In the water, one can gaze into it and see fishes and frogs swimming between the rocks, sticks and plants as if they simply passing by forks in the road.

And when we skip rocks across water, it bounces in a way that seems almost natural–as if the rock wants to glide upward and fly away. Everywhere we see rocks and water, it’s as if they’re inseparable, and go hand and hand. Doesn’t it seem unnatural to see a body of water without a rock in it?

A body of water can be a natural phenomenon–one that took thousands or millions of years to form. In other cases, it happened by design via engineering and construction (i.e. a pool or a dam). Regardless of how the body of water was created, the interaction between water and rocks capture our imagination, and inspire us to reflect on nature and how beautiful and harmonious it is.

We all need a vacation. It’s a reprieve from stress, a time to relax or to pursue an adventure in an unfamiliar place.

A vacation is a break from the everyday routine and environment. That can look different for some people. It might be a break from work and home, or a break from school and academics.

Taking a vacation depends on one’s schedule, of course. Vacation time could be built in to the year (i.e. the university calendar), the days that can be taken off from work, or it could be happenstance (i.e. if one decides to take a year off).

No matter how it looks, it has the same purpose for everyone. It’s the break we need from the routine–a time to recharge. It allows the stress, anxiety and pressure to melt away as we decompress.

A change in scenery can have a profound effect on our sense of wonder and excitement. The unpredictability and the unfamiliarity of a new environment engages us to explore, and it piques our curiosity and willingness to see and try new things (i.e. foods, stores, locations, etc.).

A vacation for some people could look like a day at the beach. It could be a trip to another city or country. It could be a hike in the woods or a hike up a mountain. It could be a cross-country trip, or a day at the museum or the zoo. It could be something as simple as spending time doing one’s favorite sport or activity, such as golf or sailing.

But it can be hard to take a vacation when our mind is wrapped up in something. It could be something that is unresolved or a creative/intellectual idea that has grabbed ahold of us. Even if we take a vacation, our mind is stuck on the thing which holds our attention.

But the point of a vacation isn’t to solve problems or to pursue creative/intellectual ideas. It’s a rest–a step back–from the stresses of life. The purpose of the vacation is to improve our mood, to make us feel positive, optimistic and happy. And then when we return to our everyday lives–we feel refreshed and renewed, and ready to face the future.

How much easier life has gotten with the advance and innovation of technology. My ability to type this blog is owed to technology and the advances that have been made in computers. It bridges the gap between time and space, allowing communication between people to happen instantaneously no matter where they are on earth.

Technology makes it possible to share my stories with audiences, to edit my writing, to create book covers and format my books. For musicians, it allows them to record and compose music on their computers with a wide array of software, instruments, and tools. Instead of working alone on a project, one can discuss their work through video conferences, or even share their screen and work on the project together.

In essence, technology makes it possible to bring the artist and the creator out of anyone. For example, anyone can be a filmmaker, a songwriter, a writer, etc., and have access to the tools and resources to share their work or collaborate with people. All it takes is to apply oneself to create. Anything is possible.

We play games to take our minds off the things of reality (unless they are a simulation for something, such as aviation). They have their own rules and logic which set the stage for the kind of game it is. They stimulate our imagination and creativity to figure out how to master the game. Even though games are removed from reality, they play a vital role in our lives as being hobbies, entertainment, or even a means of improving certain skills (i.e. memory, coordination) or our physical health.

For example, playing a board game such as chess can be mentally challenging and rewarding. A video game can be entertaining and fun, since it allows us to explore virtual worlds where we are trying to progress to the next level. Then there are sports games such as soccer and basketball, which test our physical endurance, strength, speed, and overall athleticism.

Games help us connect with people as well, either in a competitive or a cooperative way. They also help us understand ourselves better–to see what we’re capable of and how far we are willing to push ourselves to improve.

Apart from participating in games, we enjoy watching them as well. For example, people might watch the olympics, or their favorite sports game, video game, or board game on TV (or the Internet).

In art, such as in movies or novels, games can engage the characters in a physical or intellectual battle. Within the games themselves, they can have their own conflicts (i.e. the struggles of training and practice, teamwork, etc.). Or there can be stories where the games serve as the stage for which the character(s) battle their personal demons and overcome overwhelming odds. In this case, winning the games isn’t the ultimate goal. Instead, the games showcase how the character(s) triumph, as well as the valor of the human spirit.

Games have a great impact on our lives, and they bring people together in a way that challenges their mind and body. Despite the fact that games have little to do with every day life, they touch upon our creativity, athleticism, and competitive spirit.