Maybe we should take a hint from animals. Do you notice that animals don't seem to be in a hurry to get anywhere, except for the occasional free meal offered up by a human being perhaps. After watching how people in the city act, it's no wonder there are so many stress related illnesses. Of course animals have their problems occasionally; males typically squabble over territory, food or the attractive brunette displaying the latest season's fashions.
When they aren't squabbling with one another, animals appear to be relaxed and enjoying each other's company. They rest, sleep and take casual walks together in the woods. They really seem to be enjoying life. I can't say humans enjoy it as much. We are always in a hurry, worried about making money and buying things. So much of our life revolves around money; making it and spending it. Our lives seem so much more complicated than those in the animal kingdom. We have to plan our future and prepare our children's future. We have to follow a nine to five schedule most days and then worry about saving money and paying bills. Of course it's not all rosy for our feathered friends either, especially geese and ducks. It's not that they don't have anything else to do other than lay around and look food for when they are hungry. In fact, ducks and geese have to fly hundreds or more like thousands of miles every year migrating and risking their lives every step of the way. You know how paranoid people get when hearing of some nutcase taking pot shots with a rifle at passing motorists traveling south for the winter. Even if birds have limited thinking capacity, wouldn't you think they must wonder what the hell humans are doing out in the woods, shooting at them with shotguns? Well probably not, because they don't have the same appreciation for the sport of hunting as people do.
I go for bike rides or walks as much as possible when the weather is warm. I'm a bit surprised that there aren't more people outside doing the same thing. Yesterday, I walked for almost two hours, which is way, way more than I usually do. It was a bit cool, but a long sleeve shirt and long pants was plenty of clothing to be comfortable in. I seen very few people out walking, and wondered why. It is so enjoyable and refreshing to be outdoors. I'm not saying I am a good example of an outdoors person, because I'm not. Most of the time I'm inside using my computer or watching television, when I should be outside enjoying nature. But if you can get up and go outside for a little while each day, you will be amazed how beneficial it is to you. If I can put it in different words, I would say it is very addictive, but an addiction that is a healthy one.
After saying all that to promote outdoor activities, today is cool and rainy here in Ottawa, unlike the picture above, and the only exercise I'm planning on getting is doing the laundry. You can see the temperature didn't warm up very much by mid afternoon. That's Celsius on the left and Farenheit on the right, at mid afternoon. Of course, my two thermometers are not as accurate as the weather network, who said it was warmer. But it was still cold as far as I'm concerned, so don't let them fool you!
