There’s lots of advice on walking on the intranet.Walking fast vs. slow. How far to go. What to wear. How to get in the most steps for your fitness device. Don’t bother googling it, because I am going to tell you how to break the rules.
Start by finding your most comfortable shoes. They don’t have to be fancy or expensive or a certain manufacturer. You just want to be able to get home without blisters.
Dress for the weather. Coat, no coat, pants or shorts, tank top or sweatshirt. That’s going to change day by day. If you’re going into the woods (we’ll get to that) take bug spray.
Ready? Not until you’ve turned off your cell phone. (Or at least turned down the volume.) Leave your MP3 player by the computer. You don’t need it.
Now, where are you going? Around the block? Out to the back 40? Maybe to the park down the way? it doesn’t matter. Take a deep breath and walk out the door, locking it behind you if necessary. When you get outside, stop for a minute. Look up at the sky. Is it sunny or are the stars out? Take another deep breath, and this time smell the world. Is the neighbor barbecuing or is that the smell of falling leaves. All that’s left is to move one foot in front of another.
It doesn’t matter if you go slow of fast. This isn’t about where you are going or how quickly you get there. It’s about the journey. At the house down the street, stop and admire the potted flowers on the windowsill. Or watch the red-tailed hawk circling overhead. Or savor the smell of salt drifting in from the ocean.
Don’t let the blaring of car horns distract you from your task. Did I forget to mention that you have something to accomplish? A little nothing, really. I want you to daydream. When was the last time you did that? So feel free to take a break and sit on a big rock or park bench for a few minutes.
Then keep putting one foot in front of the other. You’re getting there. Wherever ‘there’ is. Remember, there’s no deadline. You can stop whenever you want to look around. See all those things you’ve never noticed before even if you’ve been by there five times before. Maybe it’s the dew on a spider web sparkling in the early morning sun. Or the way the clouds drift behind that skyscraper. Or the way that noisy little mutt’s body quivers with excitement when you pet him.
Listen to the world around you. Smile at the people passing by. Watch the children play. Take your time and really see the world around you. There’s beauty there.
Remember the words of the greats, Simon & Garfunkel:
“The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)”
Slow down, you move too fast
You got to make the morning last
Just kicking down the cobblestones
Looking for fun and feelin’ groovy
Ba da da da da da da, feelin’ groovy
Hello, lamppost, what’cha knowin’?
I’ve come to watch your flowers growin’
Ain’t’cha got no rhymes for me?
Doot-in doo-doo, feelin’ groovy
Ba da da da da da da, feelin’ groovy
I got no deeds to do
No promises to keep
I’m dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep
Let the morning time drop all its petals on me
Life, I love you
All is groovy
And that’s how to take a walk.
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