Wedded Bliss & Blissful Recovery à la Nature

In our clan, we are coming off a full-family, whirlwind wedding weekend of rehearsal parties, bridal party beautification, and a gorgeous ceremony of two people that literally shine of life and laughter. Two people who I am thrilled to call "family" (by way of in-laws,"outlaws," and upside-downs)! We followed up the wedding by hosting a late night after-hours at our house, and we followed that up with an all-day after-wedding pool party at friends so the family times and fun could continue.

It was a full weekend!!

So today, was our first day out, post-festivities; a non-event day of recovery before the reality hits us full-force tomorrow. Given that, I spent all day outside after an early morn at church followed by a fabulous brunch at a local Irish pub. With the average temp today somewhere in a the idyllic range of low to mid 70s, my lounge chair was a true and total nirvana. The rustling of leaves in the breeze, the squawking of birds arguing over the bird feeder, and the warmth of the sun on my face.  A snooze here and there, a phone chat with Mom, and the sounds of nature surrounding me--pure and utter bliss!!

I feel that the full nature of my own personal "festivity recovery" lies in "nature" itself. I have felt myself having a "What Would Richard Louv Do?" kind-of-day. Louv, author of The Nature Principle and creator of the concept "Nature Deficit Disorder" is a big proponent of finding your way outdoors in order to find yourself.  One of my favorite quotes from his book was on page 28, where Louv detailed a 9-year study (started in the 1970s) by environmental psychologists Rachel and Stephen Kaplan:

"Furthermore they have found that the natural world is a particularly effective place for the human brain to overcome mental fatigue, to be restored .... Nature simultaneously calms and focuses the mind."

That's what I needed today after a very full weekend, and I'm glad I made the time, outside, to find it.

With the lasting effects of the Irish pub brunch on my mind, and the vision of the groom's Celtic-style ring, it reminded me of two wonderful, and very fitting Irish blessing that are often used in weddings, and that seemed just made for the day, as a follow-up to my wedding weekend:

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields and,

Until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

May the longtime sun shine upon you

All love surround you

And the pure light within you

Guide you on your way

Akal, Akal, infinity....

Akal, Akal, no end.

Photos from my camera, and Irish blessings from http://www.acelticwedding.com/.