Pilgrims and Pioneers: Take Time to Smell the Roses

Welcome To Pilgrims and Pioneers!

After many years of researching my family geneaology I have been lucky enough to discover actual information about my relatives that lived in the Pilgrim Era and the Pioneer Era- while many people also have realtives from those eras- many do not know their names or where they lived- actually seeing the proof in print makes you much more aware of who they really were.
After discovering these relatives it of course made me curious to learn more about the eras that they lived in and what their lives were like as, the history I learned in grade school had long since been forgotten.
I decided to start this blog for others who are also interested in these eras.
Some of the information here will be actual facts about my realtives and some will be information about the eras in general that I have found on the web.
I hope you will enjoy traveling back in time with me!

Friday, April 4, 2008

Take Time to Smell the Roses

I know that we have all heard this saying but as I research life back in time I realize how important it is to do this. It seems the more automated our society becomes the less time we have. With all the automation we have I think we feel even more pressured to accomplish more and more every day.
I like most of you lead a very hectic life- sometimes to the point I really don't even have time to do what is most important- appreciate my loved ones and my surroundings. Sometimes I am on the go until it is time to fall into bed being unaware of the little things in life that make life so enjoyable.
In the pioneer days life was full of hard work and the days were long- but without all the fancy bells and whistles that we have today life was simpler and the little things were more appreciated. When was the last time you waited in anticipation for the new fabric for the new dress you were wanting make finally came in? We just go to Wal Mart and come home with new fabric!
Here are some tips to help all of us destress our lives and hopefully apppreciate the little thing in life.
1) Make time to take a walk and enjoy your surroundings- now that Spring is here this is the perfect time- the are many flowers that will soon be in bloom.
2) Make time every day to allow yourself a break- sit down with a cup of herbal tea if you like it and try to let your mind go blank. Or sit down , close your eyes and visualize your self in the tropics. A short 15 minute break will help revitalize you.
3) Make time to read- try reading just a few pages when you go to bed at night- it may help you fall asleep more easily.
4) Put a bird feeder in your yard or on your patio- it is very relaxing to watch birds coming to feed even if it is only for a few minutes.
5) If your schedule does not permit any time for youself until late at night- try burning a candle or melting some tarts in a scent that you enjoy or that comforts you. Set your kitchen timer in case you fall asleep! Burning the house down would not be relaxing.
6) Relax in an herbal bath to refresh your spirit and relax your mind. Herbal milk baths are a great way to realx and soften your skin at the same time. Or soak in a bath with Herbal Bath Tea- see our Archives for a bath tea recipe.
And most of all- Take time to smell the Roses!