Relaxing objects

In general, any virtuous object can be used as an object of meditation. If we discover that by acquainting our mind with a particular object our mind becomes more peaceful and virtuous, this indicates that for us that object is virtuous.

For me, thoughts of a gentle flame, like a fireplace or campfire, a park in town with a pond and two swans in it.

Even certain sounds relax me, such as a songbird here, whose song I love, gregorian chant, or scents, like woodsy scents, baked bread, they bring comfort to me.

Please feel free to list things that help you feel content or calm.

I have a nineteenth century, brass, house key on my keychain. I imagine it unlocks my private library (think "My Fair Lady" and Professor Henry Higgins rooms) which has its own doors out to a walled garden. . .

Petting the cats always helps. Also they force me to sit still and not run around like a chicken with its head cut off. When my little Abbie cat gets on my lap and I pet her, I don't want to disturb her so I sit longer and just enjoy!

I miss my cats. They are verry comforting. I used to camp alot and I think that is why I find fire so relaxing....its warmth helps too I guess.

I have often tried to create a "happy" box and never got around to it. A list of 100, or 50 or however many things that I am happy for, a physical object to hold....looking for that....perhaps a letter to myself? Or even a goal. I have not been very good at goal setting before but I might try it now.

Sand is also very comforting...especially if it is warm sand and even different colours of sand.

This is going to sound stupid for someone my age, but, my teddy bear. I imagine him having healing powers and will hold him, or sometimes put right on my head (lying down, lol, not like a hat(!)) to block out the world and focus on trying to clear my mind from endless rumination. I have held his hand (well, paw!) in times when I am acutely aware of just how very alone I am in the world to feel like I have a friend. Who will listen to ANYTHING. Oh, the things he's heard...

I also do focus/trance out to things like leaves. You know, like someone my age "should".

When I'm really, really upset, I get out my "puppy pillow" from when I was an infant and hug it tight and have a big messy cry. It's a pillow shaped like a dog's head, with a silly happy puppy face embroidered on it. It used to have a matching blankie but I've never been the blankie type (even as a kid) so I gave that to charity. For some reason, I couldn't part with the pillow.

I guess I feel like it connects me to my mom; when I'm hysterically upset, which is fairly rare, I always want my mom to comfort me. She's not here anymore, but the puppy pillow reminds me of how she would hold me and rock me when I was a kid. Nowadays I have to be careful to not cry on the puppy pillow as it is 30+ years old and I don't want it to get all gross.

My teddybear and the ocean...

Teddy Bears and speci cushion are very comforting, I agree.

Another suggestion might be certain colours. Blues, greens Yellows. I love earth tones like the orange of terracotta clay or deep forest greens, or the softer, creamy tones of greens and yellows very comforting.

space music, music by constance demby, music by hildegard vom bingen, jigsaw puzzles, building a model (as long as i keep perfectionism in check), hot soak with bubble bath and apple cider vinegar and a crossword puzzle ( but not ny times), waterfall

Working on a puzzle, my electric blanket, the sound of ocean waves, a cup of tea, an engrossing fiction book

Sitting on my patio watching birds flutter about or squirrels scampering around.

And the sound of the ocean. I miss living near the ocean and I won't ever forget the sound. Very soothing. Instant relaxation.

Moving water, the mountains, petting my pets, a candle, incense as it burns

You are never wrong age for a teddy bear!
Mine is called "Jagge" (a nick name for the car Jaguar, which I do NOT own) and he is 30" high. When I'm here in my student 'home', he sleeps with me He is a great comfort for every stress I encounter

My pillow. My bed. My blankets.... tea. A computer with internet. Music... holding my bf's private parts help. I don't like the feeling of stress balls. Plus, they are pre-warmed and smell nicer. Picking off the chunks of a raspberry or the seeds off a strawberry before eating them.