I enjoy finding green spaces in the city, and there are always more than I expect. I sat in one of my favorites more than once during a recent trip to the city. It was less than a block, but there was much to experience. People gathered to recharge. People met for lunch with others or a snack on their own. Some sat in the sunshine on the lawn. Kids played. Chess boards were set up, and most seats were occupied. A small portable library was used by multiple children. A group of jugglers was trying new skills while offering to teach others, not for money but for fun. Some people engaged with others. Some observed. Some seemed to be in their own worlds.

Green space is important, not just in cities. And not just physical green space. We need conceptual green space to help us pause, connect, reflect, and recharge. Consider where and what comprises your green space. Perhaps more than space or circumstances but also specific people or types of groups and dynamics. The more we know about what recharges us, the more we can recharge in unusual situations.

We might not be able to revisit a specific location often, but we can replicate some of the sights and sounds in our everyday routines, and that helps us. We might not be around the people who help us recharge, but the memories we have can provide the right kind of motivation when we need it.

I’ve put myself in time-out to step away from difficult circumstances and focus on positioning myself to put my mind and my feet on solid ground. Green space.

Each of us needs it even if the space is a little different for each of us.

Know your green space, and spend some time there today.