Walking

“When I'm in turmoil, when I can't think, when I'm exhausted and afraid and feeling very, very alone, I go for walks. It's just one of those things I do. I walk and I walk and sooner or later something comes to me, something to make me feel less like jumping off a building.” – Jim Butcher

I have been working to add the habit of walking once a day to my life.  My preference is to do this in the morning, when the air is cooler and less likely to be bad for my lungs.  I am lucky to live near the sea and my walks often take me there.  I am beginning to know the flowers, birds and other creatures that inhabit the local walking paths in this part of town; which is still new to me having only moved here in October.

Today I also encountered a man out strolling with his parrot and a Jehovah's Witness who offered me a copy of Watchtower and a bible quote.  I explained that I didn't have any pockets and so could not accept her offer of the pamphlet but that if the bible verse short I'd listen.    She seemed to accept that and read me something about everyone getting along and finding peace, if they believed in and feared her god of course.

I won't say that walking has been any sort of miracle for me.  It has helped me feel less like a slug; school introduced a lot of extra sitting into my life and it was beginning to become a habit.  It also gets me out of the house.  I work from home and unless I have errands to run or someplace to be I can often go days without leaving my apartment.  Finally, in reference to the quote above, I find it does help my mindset.  It is one thing I do for myself and I while I generally don't find answers while walking, I do find that it gives me a break.  Whether it's the rhythm of my feet (I have a weird habit of counting my footsteps), being surrounded by the birds, flowers and people I encounter or just stepping outside of my routine, I do end my walks a little more relaxed and a little less stressed, which seems to carry through the rest of my day.