Just next to William Byrd Park lies the Maymont gardens. \u00a0In a place as busy at Byrd, which just this weekend held a JDRF Walk to Cure Type 1 Diabetes, I found it\u00a0astounding\u00a0how few people had ever truly explored Maymont. \u00a0My own expectations were of its mere “anti-chamber” and I had no idea of the naturalistic beauty that resided behind it.<\/p>\n
Walking around its 100 acres of gardens, paths, and fountains, one can truly forget about what is going on outside its perimeter. \u00a0Its proximity to “society” seems exponentially larger as one climbs trees, inspects ponds, and strains for the sight of its wildlife inhabitants. \u00a0Even my experience on a Sunday afternoon, with all the exhibits closed and just its pathways available for exploration, simply walking around gives off the sensation of truly being lost in nature. \u00a0The hours spent relieved my mind of my usual Sunday evening\u00a0responsibilities\u00a0of homework I neglected most of the weekend, and allowed me to revert back to an almost childlike state of mind. \u00a0I climbed trees, I rolled down hills, I hopped along the stepping stones of the pond, and I got as close as I could to its small waterfall as I could without falling. My mind could release all the stresses of my upcoming week because, at that moment, all I had to do was\u00a0be.<\/em><\/p>\n I feel in today’s world people often forget to\u00a0be.<\/em> \u00a0Most people rush from appointment to appointment, doing this and that and finishing one task early so they may start another ahead of schedule. \u00a0All of the rushing around with the ultimate goal of returning home, going to bed, and repeating the cycle the next morning. \u00a0Now, I’m not saying people shouldn’t be productive, but it can be one of the healthiest and best experiences to just go out\u00a0and\u00a0be. \u00a0<\/em>To soak in the moment and appreciate everything around you. \u00a0Hear the wind rustle through the trees, feel the grass beneath your feet, watch as two dragonflies dance over water. \u00a0Often times, just\u00a0being\u00a0<\/em>gives people a break, just long enough, from their normal, hectic schedule, to allow them to go back at it with fresh heart.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Just next to William Byrd Park lies the Maymont gardens. \u00a0In a place as busy at Byrd, which just this weekend held a JDRF Walk to Cure Type 1 Diabetes, I found it\u00a0astounding\u00a0how few people had ever truly explored Maymont. … Continue reading