A moment of tranquility

From the Winterreise, song number 20, Der Wegweiser.

... und ich wandere sonder Maßen ohne Ruh und suche Ruh ...

(... and I wander on and on, unresting, in search of rest ...)

Ruh' (Ruhe) also means quietness, silence, tranquility, peace.

Chris sings that line with great feeling; anyone would, because we're all longing for relief from disturbances.

For a few moments at a time I sometimes find that relief by going outside and stopping under the trees by the river, near our house, and drinking in their colours and shapes. It's not a permanent escape from news in the papers or on the screen, or from phone calls and TO-DO lists, but it helps.

I've no idea whether or not this habit would be of benefit to other people; I know that it works for me.