The View from the Hammock

Having a leave of absence from work has been done with the intention of curbing the burnout I was beginning to feel - I work in the health profession and although here in NZ our COVID experience has been a lot more limited compared to the rest of the world it has still created a new pressure on top of other pressures. Alomg with the challenges in my personal life around my husband's health always lurking in the background it was starting to get on top of me.

Time spent lying in the hammock and reading or daydreaming was one of the things I planned to do to curb the burnout.

I bought the hammock several years ago for my husband for Christmas but I don't think he really enjoys lying in it so I have been the one to use it the most. We hung it between 2 poplar trees we have on our property after screwing a large hook into each tree trunk. Every summer when I go back to hang it up I have to screw the hooks back out as the growing trunks mean there isn't enough space behind the hook to put the hammock rope over.

This summer things got busy and time in the hammock hasn't eventuated as I had planned. Today was really hot, at 32 degrees C, and after 2 trips to the hospital, dealing with scratchy teenagers and having to spend money on takeaways to feed said teenagers I arrived home feeling a bit frazzled. I really needed some peace and quiet! Going out to the hammock seemed like the perfect place to be as the day cooled and the sun set. 

Once I'd eaten I took my book and a cold drink and went out for some time to myself. I swung and looked up at the trunks of the trees and contemplated how insignificant I was in comparison to the tree  which is far younger that I am yet far more majestic (and has the strength to cope with me hanging off it in a hammock!). There was a light nor'west wind blowing making the trees sway gently and the leaves whisper loudly. 

As I lay there our ever-curious cows came over to chat. It was very relaxing and made me appreciate our plot of land that allows us to have trees that are big enough for me to hang a hammock from and to be able to appreciate the majesty of without having to leave home.

I  just got to "be" for a period of time. I need to do it more often and all it takes is a short walk from the house. When we have it there already it is so easy to use and yet we don't. Why is it we stop using the things we already own and constantly seek new things?