This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of TiVo. All opinions are 100% mine.

I really love my TiVo player now that I’ve stepped into the 21st century and learned about it. I love the opportunity to explore Fall TV and those things we love about watching TV.

As a writer, my life has a cerebral focus during the day. I’m researching journals, the latest research, and scientific evidence. By the time it is time to call it a day, I am mentally fried. I ‘don’t want to think about studies, calculations, and percentages. When it come time to unplug, I want mindless entertainment.

I think it was Thoreau who said that the best rest was a change of work. I opt for a total about-face from my usual routine. No more reading about hypotheses and evidence. Give me slapslick comedy or bad jokes. Take me to someplace other than my desk and reference books.

The advantage of a TiVo set up is not worrying about the hassle of video or DVD recording. You just set your schedule and forget it. You can record events in the future so you don’t have to remember about scheduling it at a later date.

I rarely watch most things that I watch more than once. I use it more to record what I may be missing for the days when the selections are lacking. You just can’t beat the convenience. I like to keep a few things I’ve recorded to revisit those mental escapes when I need them.

If you’re like me and appreciate the convenience, you can join their Facebook Fan Page for up-to-date info about the entertainment that takes you away better than any bath can.

To sweeten the pot, join the Enter to Win chance to win a TiVo slide. Enter by 9/22/2010.

I don’t know about you, but nothing is more relaxing than ambient music. I often have it playing in the background as I work. Ocean sounds and wind chimes are my favorites. The soothing, rhythmic sounds take me to my happy place. Work and writing come so easily. My mind relaxes.

Perhaps now as we head into the home stretch of 2009, it is a good time to remember to relax. The hectic days leading to Christmas are behind us now. Of course, a snow storm didn’t help. Here in the land of 10,000 lakes, we received 20 inches of snow. Now, if that isn’t stress at its extreme, I don’t know what is.

Now, we can relax and ease into that feeling of tranquility. As I write, the gentle sound of windchimes plays. I love the winter, but the music of the chimes reminds me of warm nights and gentle breezes. I’m teased by thoughts of summer. Soon, my hands relax. The tension leaves my neck. I give myself over to the sounds.

Our neighbors have a large deck that wraps around their house. There are the usual patio items like a grill and outdoor fire ring. They also have a wind chime. As I muse about summer nights, I’m reminded of nights spent out on our deck, listening to the water and chimes. My husband and I will enjoy a glass of wine, not talking, but just experiencing. This is relaxation at its finest.

There is a meditative quality about the setting and its elements. It is a good image to capture your mind’s eye and relive when you need an escape from stress. As an artist, I enjoy and collect such images. The mind has such a powerful ability to transport you to a tranquil place whenever you need it. The right setting, with the right sounds is your gateway to serenity. Travel there often. It’s waiting for you.