I have been trying to spend more time outside as the weather has been warming up. Fresh air is healing.
Behind my dorm building, I like to set up my hammock and read a book. I enjoy listening to the birds chirping and the breeze rustling the branches of the trees.
I grew up in a very rural area. Trees surround my house and a little stream sits far back in the woods. Sometimes you can hear the stream from the house just after the snow melts.
Quiet. I grew up in a tranquil environment. Wildlife would make few sounds and occasionally we would have a loud neighbor but my home is very quiet.
Coming to college I was struck with the bustling noises of a college campus. It is never truly silent.
But, in those moments, when the weather is nice, the campus almost reaches for a hush.
This weekend, I sat in my hammock, reading a book, and listening to music. I enjoyed the sun beating on my face, soaking the warmth in.
I listened to a lot of the Dead this weekend and Jerry’s solo music. “Shade Grove” played on repeat into my headphones.
I also listened to a lot of “Morning Dew” and “They Love Each Other”.
Early spring feels like slow music. As the leaves start to slowly form, the sun slowly heats up the ground, and animals slowly creep out of hibernation.
I think, through music, we express this same speed of nature. I draw myself to slower tunes as the winter slips out and spring enters.
This slower pace also seems to play into motivation. I feel slow to wake up, relaxed to get ready, and gentle to move through my day. It is interesting how our minds and bodies can react to the weather.