Where Is Your Oasis?

By Juliana Leslie

Recently I spent an evening at Whispering Waters. There was a roaring fire in the fireplace, gentle music in the background and twilight was fast approaching. I happened to be gazing out beyond the horse pasture to the silver ribbon of river disappearing around the corner, when I was blessed with the appearance of a bald eagle surveying the water one last time before dark. The scene held so much beauty and peace for me. As I stood there appreciating the experience of just being there, I was suddenly moved to express it in a way I never have before. This is my oasis.

From the first moment I set foot on this piece of property tucked away from the rest of the world, I knew it was a special place. At that time I had no idea how much it would influence my life. Perhaps it’s those familiar qualities from my childhood that endears it to me. The woods to explore with its many hidden springs and trickling streams, the meadow with an abundance of flowers and wild raspberry bushes, the rushing river with my favorite insect, the dragonfly, riding a nearby reed. It touches me at a soul level and washes me with the carefree warmth of my childhood memories. When I am there, the busyness of my daily routine melts away and I feel refreshed and ready to reemerge from my oasis.

So, where is your oasis? I believe we all have one. A place that we love to be and long for when we get all caught up in the living of our lives. Think about it. Like me, you may not be aware of exactly where it is until you really think about it. Maybe you need to recall how a certain place makes you feel. If a place just feels good every time you are there that’s probably it. For some, it may not be a particular place, but maybe an activity you can immerse yourself in completely and leave the rest of the world behind for a time.

When I asked friends and family where their oasis is, most didn’t have to think about it at all…in the bathtub at the end of the day, walking the dogs in the woods, getting my biweekly massage, riding my motorcycle, painting with watercolors, knitting a scarf, making a piece of jewelry, sitting on the beach, being in my bedroom. The wonderful thing is that there is something different for each one of us.

With our lives as fast-paced as they tend to be, it is important to know what you can do to survive the particularly stressful periods we all experience. If it is impossible to actually be there physically it is helpful to pause and recall in your mind the peace and joy you experience while in your oasis. A few years ago, I was on a plane by myself for the first time in my life. I was flying over the Pacific Ocean and I suddenly felt very alone and a bit panicked. I closed my eyes and imagined lying in the grass at Whispering Waters, listening to the buzz of the cicadas on a hot summer day. I went through an imaginary list of activities I might do if I was actually there. Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep and was awakened by the sound of the landing gear.

Do take a moment to realize where your oasis is and remember you can be there whenever you need to be.

Juliana Leslie, MA Education, is certified in Holistic Health through WMU and completed a 2 year mentorship with Shakti Gawain in Hawaii. She offers retreats for women and children and is the proprietor of Whispering Waters Bed & Breakfast Retreat Center. You can reach her at 1-888-880-5557.