Serenity Walks
Serenity Walks
Over the past few weeks I have been trying to turn my before-dawn walks into a time devoted entirely to serenity and inner peace. This morning I was finally able to experience that for the full 30 minutes that I walked. I have been using breathing and focusing techniques normally used for meditation to push out my worries and frustrations so I can just experience the world around me in its entirety from moment to moment. My experiences this morning ranged from the sound of my steps on the crushed granite of my driveway, to the light rustle of fallen leaves fluttering in my yard, to appreciating the vastness of the heavens above me, to the smell of burning oak from someone’s wood stove, to the awakening sounds of animals on a nearby hobby farm, to a rabbit darting across the road in front of me, to hearing the half-hearted bark of my neighbor’s boxer who knows he should alert his master to my presence, but doesn’t seem overly concerned about me, and back to the sound of my steps on crushed granite. When no cars are around, I often walk with my eyes closed, feeling my muscles operate and my body move, not with the great effort that it used to require, but with ease and some semblance of grace, a sweet reminder of how far I have come on my journey.
That period of serenity leaves me calm for awhile, sometimes most of the day. On days when I am struggling with my emotions, feeling guilty about making bad food choices, or I am just plain cranky, it also allows me to look forward to a bit of serenity tomorrow and each day after that. It is hard not to smile when you feel a sense of hope in your heart.
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As the others stated, this is such an inspirational way of encouraging others to get out and enjoy the outdoors while getting some much needed clean mind "you" time and exercise!
Make me want to don some "longies" under my pants (I'm already feeling freezing after my surgery) and get out there for a walk!!!
Thank you, RP!!!
Shannon
