Editor's Letter : My Favorite Things

June 1, 2013  by Sheila Long O’Mara in Business Strategy, Industry   

Rest and relaxation are proven components of improved workplace happiness and productivity. Time away gives the brain and the body the opportunity to unwind, heal and rejuvenate in order to accomplish the work ahead. My favorite escape will always be the a trip to the coast. I may have been a mermaid in my previous life. Who knows? What I do know is that time away from work responsibilities restores my soul. It makes me love what I do.

Regrettably, I can’t go to the beach every day or even every weekend. Instead, I rely on a variety of things to soothe, calm and keep me grounded when escapes just aren’t possible. Some are tangible; some are mental. All do the trick.

The scent of a freshly manicured lawn. Fragrant flowers that seemingly bloom non-stop. Just bathed babies. The rosemary bushes taking over the yard.

An early sunrise on an empty beach. A quite sunset at the end of Oak Island, N.C. Watching the moon rise over the water. Paddling a canoe on a mountain lake in the fall. Climbing to the top of Lookout Mountain during peak leaf-viewing season.
Quiet picnics along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Planting seeds and watching them sprout into something amazing. Being alone. Being surrounded by a crowd of my favorite people.
Watching the clouds float by on a sunny day. A raucous thunderstorm. Opening night of a Broadway play. Scrumptious French toast with a side of bacon. Homemade strawberry jam on a buttered croissant.
The quiet hum of intuition. My boys’ laughter. Big bear hugs and soft kisses. The sight and sounds of sleeping children. 
Walking barefoot on a dew-soaked lawn. Sliding down a sliding board at full speed. Spying a rainbow after the storm. Reading on the back porch surrounded by hydrangeas in full bloom.
A sense of belonging. Tent camping in the forest. Roasting marshmallows and making a meal of s’mores. Spa days with friends—or alone. Neighborhood block parties. Love letters The off-the-wall sense of humor of Mason O’Mara, 9.
Freshly fallen snow. Snow angels, snow forts and snowball fights. Sledding down long hills and hiking back to the top. Europe in the spring. Finding four-leaf clovers. Friendly ghosts and funny jokes. Sidewalk cafés, a great book and an empty day ahead.
Climbing trees. Paddle boats. Two weeks at the beach followed by a week in the mountains. A crisp Pinot grigio. An earthy, full Pinot noir. Champagne bubbles that tickle the nose.

Quiet, deep conversations in the dark with Zane O’Mara, 13. Exploring cities. Wandering through historic cemetaries. My camera. Shooting pictures all day long.
Fishing on a dock. Fishing in a boat. Fishing on the shore. Fresh fish for dinner. The peace and tranquility of meditation. Long afternoon naps. Reading notes and stories my children write.
Backyard birdwatching with Evan O’Mara, 6. Chasing lizards and frogs. Riding bikes. Dining al fresco. The ability to keep a secret when asked. Playing fetch with Elke, our dog. Snuggles with the cats.
Holding hands with my awesome, handsome husband Dan O’Mara. (Age not shared intentionally.) Running away for a last-minute trip. Volunteering. Forgiveness, both given and received. Skeet shooting. Morning stretches.
By no means is this an exhaustive list; there isn’t that much space here. Steal a few. They my work for you or they may not. It’s a fairly personal list.