Renew Enthusiasm, Colors of Cape Fear Botanical Garden

A large scale nature engagement campaign study shows being in nature has many health benefits including reducing stress, improving a sense of life satisfaction, and encouraging sustained pro-nature behaviors. 

On a recent trip to be with family on the east coast, and as an important part of my self-care plan, I combined a family reunion with a day trip to Cape Fear Botanical Garden in Fayetteville, NC.

As my readers know, my adult son died late last year. That's why I've had to be extra vigilant about getting outdoors to walk in natural surroundings. Seeing a butterfly, gazing at a lake, or hugging a tree is a great comfort to me. 

Each time I hear a bird sing, see a butterfly, or take in the lush greens and grounding earth tones of mother nature, it helps in my healing process. 

Then, when I see new growth, it renews my determination to be present for life today.

Following is a photo essay of things that held my attention and renewed my enthusiasm at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden in Fayetteville, NC.

More about the Origami Exhibit Here

Much of the flora I saw on this look-see was in various shades of green. Color energy can bypass thinking and works at the cellular level. Green hues create balance, harmony, self-acceptance, self-compassion, and rejuvenation. 

One of the best color tips I offer today is to gaze at or envision something that's green to lift anxiety, self-pity, confusion, and refresh. 

Many things piqued my interest in this 80 acre natural wonderland, nestled between the Cape Fear River and Cross Creek. I was attracted to both soft and lively colored flowers, plants, wildlife, and origami.

I'd love to know what colors and vegetation appeal to you.

Hosta about to bloom at Cape Fear Botanical Garden

I am especially drawn to pink flowers like the camellias and lilies bellow. Pink helps soothe mind, body, and spirit. It's a color I associate with gentleness, unconditional love, and caring. It provides balance of male and female energies and helps to reduce stress.

The garden contains more than 2000 varieties of flowers, plants, trees, and shrubs including daylily, hosta, and camellia gardens. There's an arboretum, children's garden, and visitor center too. 

Even though some paths and trails offer shade and/or run through the pine or hardwood forest, it gets hot and humid during the summer months. 

A good rule of thumb is to bring ample water and wear sunblock any time you're outdoors.

Up for walking and hiking? Trails at the garden are packed earth surfaced with gravel or mulch. All except the River Trail are accessible by a normal wheelchair with an able bodied pusher who can negotiate the occasional root or rut.

Walking is one of the most relaxing types of activity, especially if you have a busy schedule. Fit even a short walk into daily routines, and know each little bit improves health, both mentally and physically. 

The Cape Fear Botanical Garden is a perfect place for Fayetteville locals or visitors to exercise and renew their enthusiasm.

Information for the Visitor to Cape Fear Botanical Garden

Cape Fear Botanical Garden Website The address is 536 N. Eastern Blvd., Fayetteville, NC 283o1. Phone is 910-486-0221

Things to do in Fayetteville 

Restaurants in Fayetteville

Although we didn't spent the night in Fayetteville, there are motels, hotels, and B&B's of various price ranges to choose from. If you're traveling there, see your travel agent or book a room online.

Downtown Fayetteville is approximately 2 miles away from Cape Fear Botanical Garden. A popular travel site names Cape Fear Botanical Garden a top sightseeing attraction for this area.

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Before I go, I'd like to suggest another good way to nurture your mind, body, and spirit. Check out Colors of Joy: A Woman's Guide for Self-Discovery, Balance, and Bliss. 

Journal owners say it dispels negative energy by showing them ways to express their cares, focus on dreams and goals, and learn more about their inner thoughts and feelings in a safe, private place. Read reviews here.

The 12 week journal program is arranged into chapters. Each helps shift perceptions. One example is the affirmation “I cherish and respect myself just as I am," which appears in the chapter Love Myself Unconditionally and Thrive. Its activities and exercises are devoted to improving self-esteem.

Colors of Joy offers color-themed journal prompts to help the journal writer be more mindful of her choices. It supports and guides her as she takes advantage of the self-expression opportunities the book provides.

Pick up a copy of Colors of Joy and use its color-coded journal activities to stimulate intuition and inner wisdom through your senses. Notice which color energies transform fear to love, dread to hope, sadness to acceptance, confusion to clarity, and heartache to peace. 

Journal in Colors of Joy for Healing and
 Growth.

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The Cape Fear Botanical Garden is a great place to visit. Have you been there and what did you enjoy seeing or doing? Please share comments below.

It's a popular venue for weddings, social events, and family outings. It makes a beautiful backdrop for pictures.

Do you get outside each day to fill up on a healthy dose of Vitamin D and connect to nature? 

Please share what things you like to do outdoors. Do you camp, canoe, picnic, swim, or play ball? Let us know in the comments section below. 

No links in comments please. They will not get published that way. 

Social media love is greatly appreciated. Just supply a link back to this post when you do.

This post has been shared at Inspire Me Monday – Week 391

Top Reasons to Practice Gratitude with Tips to Help You Do It

It's simple to develop or deepen a gratitude practice, yet the impact it makes on well-being is phenomenal. 

This post has been updated 10/21/2020

Gratitude Helps You:

See goodness in your life, instead of taking it for granted.

Improve your sense of well-being.

Enhance relationships.

Shift perspective to positives.

Reduce stress.

Lighten your mood.

Create energy that helps you feel fully alive.

Empower yourself.

Generate compassion and generosity toward others.

Tap into the lovingkindness inside you.

Kindle inspiration and creativity.

Sleep contentedly.

Integrate mind with body to boost immune system, develop resilience to setbacks, and lower blood pressure.

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See what I mean? Giving thanks stimulates those warm, fuzzy, feelings as well as improves overall wellness.

Please try the techniques listed below. Each is intended to help you make a gratitude practice a mindful part of your self-care plan.

3 Tips to Help with a Gratitude Practice

1. Write in a Gratitude Journal 

Designate a paper bound notebook or journal as a gratitude journal. Use a pen with ink in the color you consider to be a grateful  color. Try using a marker, chalk, or colored pencils if you prefer. 

Journal writing is a tangible, grounding way to acknowledge and record the gifts in your life. Writing with colors adds color energy to the mix, and helps you tune into your senses and the present moment. 

Whether you journal every day, three times a week, or once a week, commit to a regular time to journal. Then, honor your commitment. 

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2. Send thank-you notes  

Handwritten thank-you notes are a meaningful way to show others you were touched by their words, gestures, hospitality, understanding, time, or effort. The note can be brief, but make it as specific as possible. Mention the other person's act of kindness, and what it meant to you.

Sit down with your children, after they have received a gift. Discuss the idea that presents and other acts of kindness like a new book or toy or an outing to the beach with a friend's family aren't their birthright. 

Teach kids a valuable life lesson by following through. This is a good way to help children develop a lifelong practice of acknowledging gifts in their lives. If they are too young to write, a picture can say thank you too.

Make gratitude part of your self-care routine. Notice those people who make your life richer. The first month, send one of them a written thank you note. Then look for and send a thank you note to someone the next month, and so on.  Once in a while, write and mail a thank you note to yourself.

Most people want a simple thank you or other sign that their gifts are well-received. If you or your children don't write a note, express your thanks in person, email, or over the phone.

Just remember, nothing beats a thank-you note written on paper and sent in an envelope. It conveys the message that you took time to do it, and are grateful for that person's thoughtfulness. In fact, it can turn an acquaintance into a friend. 

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3. Curtail complaining for 24 hours 

This is a biggy. Rather than find fault with others or yourself, make a healthier choice and search for hope and possibility in every situation. 

This applies to difficult people or conditions at work, at home, in your community, with social contacts, and with world leaders and issues. 

A challenging or stressful incident can teach you much about your inner strengths, and heighten patience, courage, and resourcefulness. 

First, admit you're uncomfortable when people don't act the way you think is right or things don't go your way. 

Look at this need to control with self-compassion. Then use kind eyes to lighten your perspective. A  gentle attitude helps reduce anxiety, stress, and self judgment. 

Non-attachment allows you to observe which things you are powerless over, or reveals solutions you may not have thought of before. 

Use this practice of not complaining one day at a time, and each day start fresh. Observe things without finding fault, and you'll have clear vision about what is working in your life.

Gratitude Improves Your Outlook

The Health Benefits of Gratitude, what research shows.

Boost Your Health with a Dose of Gratitude.

Gratitude and Adolescent Materialism and Generosity.

Easy Strategies to Use Colors to Draw Gratitude into Your Life.

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What helps you focus on gratitude and what happens when you do?

Which of the 3 gratitude development practices above haven't you tried, but appeal to you? Please explain.

Have you reaped the rewards of a gratitude practice? In what ways?

Please share about it in the comments section below. Please no links in your comments as I won't be able to publish them that way.

Thanks for the visit and know that I'm grateful for YOU! 💗

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