I'm all about finding holistic ways to calm and ground ourselves. I'm also a HUGE fan of children's books. When I reached out to children's book author Daniel Linsteadt to request an author guest post, he really nailed it. He managed to give us a post that addresses both of these topics and more. Take it away, Daniel!
The
other day, my coworker said in an excited tone, “Come check this out!” There
was a colorful image on the computer screen that I was to relax and stare at. As
I looked, the colors on the screen faded away. Unable to hold my gaze, I blinked
or readjusted my eyes and the color would reappear. The physical world around
us is truly a miracle. This is the playground for my stories.
In
my new Nila series (Water, Air, Fire), I toy with all our senses. Our first scent of
the ocean is exquisite, but quickly fades with each exhale. Taking in your
first breath of pine scented air in the mountains is strong and vibrant, but this
too dissipates with time. Why does this happen? What other sights or smells am
I missing that are right before me? I believe love for another person is the
same, which requires us to readjust and refocus on that person to rekindle that
sensation back into a flame.
I
adore nature and all the wondrous sights, smells and textures she provides…life-giving
properties that are just as important as water, air and food. Nature grounds me
from all the static I absorb throughout a busy day. Our bodies and mind need
that calming energy to stay vital, like the first day we opened our eyes to
this world and our life.
 |
| © 2018, Susan Barton |
You
only need to watch a child place his fingers in running water for the first
time—wow! First, there’s a slight frown from not being able to possess it, then
a smile at how it flows over his skin. Water reflects color and light from the
world around it, as well as the temperature…another sensation that is acute at
first and then dulls—we call it getting
used to. The young child then begins to laugh and talk to the water as they
splash themselves and others with their newfound water friend. But as we age,
water becomes, well, just water.
 |
| © 2018, Susan Barton |
To
bring that child back into me, I only need to step out into the sunshine with
bare feet and breathe in the fragrant air. My imagination runs rampant with
stories as I gaze at colorful flowers, multi-shaped leaves and fluorescent dragonflies
darting through the air. Isn’t this what we did when we first arrived on planet
Earth?
My
second Oaf story, Oaf in Bear River, was born in this way. As I watched dragonflies bouncing off
the glinting water’s surface and I rested my back against a log in the middle
of the river, an idea began taking shape. A rainbow of light fluttered just beyond
my arm’s reach on the streambed, and boom! My mind was off to the races, and
the story was practically written before I came ashore.
I
have a folder on my computer called “Stories” that contains many Word
documents. Each saved with a title, and its contents a budding tale discovered
when out in play. If I only had enough time write and give attention to each fantasy
that has popped into my head. Going to work is important, but it does get in
the way….
ABOUT DANIEL
LINSTEADT
Daniel has spent most of his career as an IT programmer and administrator. His joy has always been creating tales, so now he shares his passion for life with inspiring and uplifting stories.
Daniel can often be found sipping coffee in the foothills of Auburn, California where nature is still wild ... if you know where to look.
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