We’ve made it to the end of another week of quarantine. Everything is different, and for some of us, things are more challenging than they have been in recent memory. Perhaps you or someone you love is struggling with job loss, perhaps a loved one is sick, maybe someone dear to you is leaving the safe confines of home every day to help provide care for others. Whatever moment we find ourselves in the middle of today, let’s just agree that this is hard. And let’s agree that respite is needed.
I’ve never been someone who has embraced the practice of visualization. I would lie on the floor of the studio in my college Vocal Training for the Actor classes and inwardly groan as my classmates and I were instructed to visualize ourselves as a tree in the forest. Our professor would ask us what type of tree we were, to visualize our roots and how very tall we were, etc. Ummm, no thanks. It just wasn’t my thing.
On my heart today is the thought that I need to be purposeful about inviting a little beauty into my life this weekend. Don’t get me wrong; there is already great beauty here. But, maybe today and tomorrow and the day after that, I need to be intentional about creating a chance to see a bit of loveliness that perhaps I didn’t see yesterday. And, as a Disney parks fan, I think that perhaps a little visualization exercise is needed.
It’s going to help for me to close my eyes and think back to joy-filled moments I’ve had in the Disney parks. It’s going to help me if I try to connect with the emotions of those moments again. My birthday breakfast with my husband last year at The Plaza Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom. Or the time just after moving to Florida that our family of four decided at 8:52pm-ish that we wanted to ride Test Track before the park closed. And we were in the Germany pavilion. And how my husband and I and our two kids broke into a sprint as we made our way around the World Showcase. We made it to Test Track just in time. Or the times that I’ve savored every morsel of a hot fudge sundae made by the amazing cast members at Hollywood Scoops.
For you, maybe inviting a bit of Disney-inspired beauty might come from watching the Disney Park Bench videos that have been created by the DIS team over the years. Miss a favorite area of a Disney park or a favorite long-gone attraction or a park icon (hello, Sorcerer Mickey hat)? It’s likely been documented in a Park Bench video. Perhaps inviting a little Disney-inspired beauty means you whipping up a Disney recipe in the kitchen. I’m there with you. Check back on The DIS tomorrow, and I’ll have a Disney recipe to share with you, complete with my ramblings and pictures.
For me, one way I’ll be inviting a bit of Disney-inspired beauty into my life this weekend is by taking a cue from the Flower and Garden Festival. It’s sad that those beautiful flowers are blooming over at Epcot, and guests aren’t there to see them and appreciate their splendor. I’ll be planting a few lavender plants this weekend for my own little at-home version of Flower and Garden. And I know that it’ll bring me a bit of joy.
So, what about you? What Disney-inspired beauty/joy/loveliness will you be inviting into your life this weekend? Please share in the comments section below. Virtual hugs to you. We’ve got this.
Deni loves all things Disney, and, in 2013, moved to the Magic from Maryland. Walt Disney World is her happy place, and she loves getting to share it with others. Deni and her husband of almost 26 years have 2 grown children. Her favorite WDW snack? A Mickey Bar, of course. Is there any other?!
