Do you see my butterfly?

Growing up, I always studied the sky. Clouds, stars, the tops of the trees, I loved to lie back, let the wind rush over my skin and slip through my hair, taking in a moment, letting my mind go, and drifting with whatever came into my sight. Life happens and we grow. We take on more responsibility. I forgot about the relaxation and the joy in many of these simple natural moments, trapped in the endless cycle of rushing, and thinking, and getting tasks done.

I’ve recently discovered the wonders of studying the clouds again, and I’m learning the art, remembering what I loved about it so much growing up—I’m teaching my kids to love it, too.

So I’m sharing what I’m learning. I compiled a list of why Cloud Watching is so good for the soul and how to begin it, and some of my thoughts came from the following web post, at cloudman:

1. Visual Distraction/Relaxation.
First, learning to quiet the mind is a difficult task. If I close my eyes longer than 10 seconds, I can’t hang on to a clean slate in my mind for long. Busyness slips in. Tasks slip in. But with the clouds, the sky, and the air all around you, it’s easier to let go, and to remind yourself as those thoughts try to wiggle back in, I don’t want to think about them now. I want a moment just for me.

2. Cost. 

How about my sweet elephant?