Researchers everywhere know that the stress of living in a high-tech environment and working in an angry and divided environment is taking its toll on us.

Rutgers University researchers have an idea I stumbled across unknowingly some years ago: flowers. I’m very much into my flower and color research. Now I know why I love taking pictures of flowers; yes, it was the same reason Georgia O’Keeffe loved taking flower photos.

For complex brooders and people suffering from depression and anxiety, flowers are magic.

Today, I’m taking half a day off to observe my own Sabbath. I’ll read, meditate silently, and take some flower photos. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. I hope everyone had a meaningful holiday. I intend to lure Maria out for some Asian food for a late lunch.

According to Rutgers behavioral studies, “Nature provides us with a simple way to improve emotional health—flowers. The presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction, and affects social behavior in a positive manner far beyond what is normally believed.”

Wow, for once, I found myself in the right of a scientific study.

“What’s most exciting about this study is that it challenges established scientific beliefs about how people can manage their day-to-day moods healthily and naturally,” said Jeannette Haviland-Jones, Ph.D. D., Professor of Psychology at Rutgers and lead researcher on the study.