Space for the mind

Depression comes and go's and is often sometimes worse than others; so when I find myself feeling particularly shite I feel that the right thing to do is get away from it all into the countryside or up into the hills. Geographically,  I'm fortunate enough to stay within about 3-4 miles from some decent countryside with some decent views of not only of fields, hills and forests but of the city as-well; especially the city in fact as il come to draw on shortly. We, in the west coast of Scotland are never really that far from the country side; If you live in Glasgow, the feet of the Campsie fells and Kilpatrick hills begin around 6-7 north-west of you and beyond these lie the trossachs and further beyond them lies the Loch Lomond national park whilst to the south west you have the 'Gleniffer braes country park' just beyond Paisley and further west you have 'Muirshiel country park' near Lochwinnoch.  These are local places where you can give your mind some space, away from the reality which might in fact be contributing to your minds condition.

When I walk away into the countryside or into the hills I become occupied with the present more than I normally would in the city world as my senses become attuned to the wilderness, my eyes gaze into the endless distance and depth of real nature whilst the wind and its impact on the land occupies most of what I hear…this is the here and now, the real reality for me.

When I look back at the city in the distant I become aware that I am detached from the structures of modern reality , ......buildings, workplaces, traffic and indeed time; these are all modern constructs that our senses constantly have to contend with, especially if we work and live in the city. These modern constructs are the objects of our anxieties. The city is excessive, hyperactive and man made,whilst nature is simply eternal, has always been there and always will be and holds secrets we will never know; knowing this as I look back down towards the city reminds me that we are not here for very long in the grand scale of things and I always find this enlightening.

Find a space where you can stare into the distance, breathe and realize that time means nothing, all you are is what you are and where you are is there and then. Break from the norm, get out, get away and give your mind some space, your not that far from nature are you.