Relax with me and see if you can hear what I hear.

I woke up this morning to another beautiful summer day. It was still cool outside and the sun’s first light turned the landscape around me that odd golden color I only get to see at first and last light. I took my coffee out onto the deck to enjoy a break before hustling down to the garage to load up my pups and kayak for a few hours of paddling around the Wenatchee and Columbia Rivers confluence with a friend.

The early morning quiet — which wasn’t exactly quiet — struck me. I wish I could bottle it up and share it with friends. Then I realized I could. My tripod was handy, along with the dead cat protected microphone I used with my iPhone for various video work. It took two minutes to set it all up. I recorded 5 minutes and 15 seconds of my morning bliss.

The news got you down? Worries about the economy, your job, the virus, politics? Feeling stressed and angry?

Slow down. Stop. Take a deep breath. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and step out into a place away from the news, mobile devices, and other people. Look around. Listen. Become one with your surroundings.

Five minutes will make a real difference in your day.

And if you can’t find the right spot for your own five minutes, come on back here. You can borrow mine any time you like.