When I sat down to write a Nurturing Thursday post after a long and busy day, not much came to mind right away. Outside the window, birds were calling to each other as the daylight faded from the sky. I took a breath and just sat there quietly in the desk chair, without trying to force myself to be productive about writing a blog entry or doing anything else. The world seemed to slow down around me. I became aware of my heartbeat, the gentle breeze from the ceiling fan, and the texture of the carpet under my feet. Everything had gone still. For the moment, there was only the simple joy of being.

Nurturing Thursday was started by Becca Givens and seeks to “give this planet a much needed shot of fun, support and positive energy.” Visit her site to find more Nurturing Thursday posts and a list of frequent contributors.