As we move from our youth to middle life and beyond we find it easier to just sit. We sit at our desk. We sit when we get home as we are weary from the work day. We sit in our cars on the way to everything. We park as close as possible to every store we go into because we are in a hurry. The joys of walking are a distant memory.
I remember walking as a child down the country roads in the summer time. I would walk out in the field with my father when he would go to change the water in the crops he had planted. The walk to visit Mrs Baker , the elderly neighbor lady was always exciting as she told great stories and showed her collection of assorted interesting old objects. My friends and I walked in the park from one end to another and back again talking about our plans for the future. We walked to the barn and sang songs in concert for no one in particular. Walking was a joy.
As I became an adult walking became more practical in purpose and infrequent. I walked for health at times on a treadmill and it wasn’t anything but a task to serve a purpose. It was torture. Walking at work has become less with the dawn of computer programs.Everything is available at my fingertips. Getting together with friends to walk is virtually impossible. The coordination of busy schedules has become infuriating at times and has made me give up the idea completely.
I accidentally rediscovered walking the other morning. After a long, cold and snowy winter the weather had turned warmer. The sun peaked out earlier than usual and as I was walking from my car to the house my feet suddenly had a mind of their own. I walked around the block without planning it. Hearing a group of birds chatter made my heart skip a beat. The air was new. With the exception of the birds all was quiet. Memories came flooding back and I remembered what walking truly is.
Walking is a spiritual experience. It is not a means to get from here to there. It is not exercise for health. Walking is prayer in action. Walking is meditation at it’s best. True walking fills your spirit and takes you away from the film roll in your head. It gives you time away from the hustle and bustle of the world. Walking is gentle to the soul as well as the body. It is calling to you. Take a walk in your neighborhood or park and feed your spirit. See all of things you have been missing with new eyes. The joy of walking isn’t about the body. It’s about the soul.
Related articles
- The Joy (dreamingatmidnight.wordpress.com)
- Lights of Hope (newauthors.wordpress.com)
- I Walk the Water of Faith: Day 18 of the 40-day Spiritmuv Meditation Challenge (spiritmuvmeditation.com)
- Walks With Angels (myraysoflight.wordpress.com)
- Rediscovering my walking mojo (alpinemummy.wordpress.com)
- Walking festivals in Wales (visitwales.co.uk)
- Surgeon General Announces Call to Action on Walking (dc.streetsblog.org)
I agree so much. Before the weather turned cold, I was walking every single day and it gave me such a sense of joy and balance. With the shorter days and colder weather, I have not been as active and it’s taking a toll on my mental well-being. I gotta bundle up and get back out there.