Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.
~ John Muir
As part of my “getting healthy” quest, I’ve started walking. Not running, not jogging, not speed walking. Just walking – going for a walk every day. It’s that simple, and it whas been that easy to get started.
You see, I know myself well enough to know that had I set my sights higher, I would have failed miserably. If I had started out by setting a goal of a more strenuous exercise or arduous schedule, I would have found the task in front of me to daunting, and I would have given up. I hate to admit it, but I would have given up quickly.
One thing that has made my daily walks easier is my camera. My girls constantly comment that I never leave the house without a camera, and it’s true. Whether it’s my cheap little point and shoot, or my heavy-duty DSLR, I always have a camera wtih me. So how does that translate into my daily walks? I take my camera with me to catch pictures if I discover something that inspires me. By having my camera with me, my walk for exercise immediately changes into an adventure to find beauty and uniqueness in nature.
Other than being out-of-shape physically, I am also out-of-shape mentally. I have become stangant. I have allowed my insecurity, anxiety, frustrations, hurt, lonliness, and self-doubt to take over and rule my life. The greatest benefit of these walks has been the mental clarity I have been gaining. Going for walks truly allows me to clear my mind, let go of all my issues, and move on with making progress in getting healthy.
I have posted this quote before, but it is one of my favorites:
I go to nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in order
~ John Burroughs
I love that quote, and I believe it with my whole heart. I always feel better whenever I have gone for a walk; it works. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
One of the really cool things I have run across in my walks is a pussywillow with it’s catkins starting to bloom. I can remember seeing these when I was young, but I haven’t seen them anytime in my adult life. I was really excited to see these and to be able to capture these images. The beauty contained in such a small thing is overwhelming.
There is nothing prettier than the bold, saturated colors in nature, and I love discovering them.
Most of all, the thing I am loving most about my walks is that they are forcing me to slow down, take a break, and allow myself to heal and grow.
Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness. I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it.
~ Soren Kierkegaard
Nature Girl. Mom. Wife. Friend. Photographer. Sewer. Crafter. Artist.
To borrow a phrase – “Yeet Ye Riche”