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In one of his most famous poems, Wordsworth said, "The world is too much with us...," and never in the history of mankind has this simple sentiment been truer than it is today. Most of us have hectic lives, juggling deadlines, schedules, and families on a daily basis, and somewhere in this frantic hodge-podge, we lose touch with ourselve, with our own souls. We allow the world and all its glitter to inhibit the relaxation that comes with life's simple pleasures. The quest for the almighty dollar has blurred our vision for what our innermost self cries out for, in an ever-weakening voice. But how do we quell the demands of the hungry beast and apply the balm of relaxation to our frenzied thoughts?

I discovered long ago that I could re-claim inner peace and achieve a level of total relaxation through my hobbies. When I am engaging in an activity I feel passionate about, I lose myself in it. I shut out the rest of the harsh world and create my own little microcosm, devoid of earthly cares. For just a short time, I am able to find respite in the enjoyment of a favorite passtime.

I love to paint. My mom was an accomplished artist, and fortunately, I inherited a smidgeon of her talent. With paints and brushes, I am able to create my own ideas of beauty. Through the brush strokes, I am able to form my own idea of beauty - to see the world as it should be instead of how it actually is: peaceful landscapes, where man has not raped the earth, where there is no hate, no violence, no suffering. The blank canvas provides an empty universe, and I am the creator. I can make no mistakes; whatever is apllied there was meant to be. Ah, Deism at its finest. I paint solely for me. There is no one to judge.

Sometimes I escape into the pages of a good book. The words transport me to another place and time, away from my daily cares. I read everything from poetry, history, and the classics, to essays and modern novels. When I need mindless entertainment, I might pick up a "heaving bossom" romance paperback. Those who aren't avid readers don't realize the stress release inherent in an engrossing book. Through my readings, I have traveled the world, across not only the globe, but through the sands of time, as well. I have befriended many fascinating characters, exhulting in their triumphs and crying through their trials. An articulate author allows us to experience vicariously things we can only dream about. Nothing is more relaxing than curling up with a beloved book in front of a cozy

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