In an attempt to rid myself of stress and toxins, I'm trying something different and novel... walking! I've been doing it for 30-some-odd years but I'm taking it to the next level. After a friend was a lay off casualty, she poked me to go for a walk with her one day and we have been hooked and adventurous ever since. It started with a 2 mile walk up and back our main road and quickly branched off to incorporating errands and side neighborhoods and once led us to a 7.4 mile excursion as we tried new roads and twists. It started in cold and blistering weather but has since progressed into cold but sunny Spring. It hasn't been long, but when we can't go for our morning walks, we feel it - in our minds, bodies, and spirits. We talk, pant, moan, and most importantly, laugh the majority of the time - it has been super cathartic. One morning she couldn't walk with me and so I self motivated and popped my 'energy' playlist through my earbuds and was off. I later confessed to her that it wasn't relaxing because I had too much time to think - not really the most effective tool toward releasing the stresses of life.
This whole movement was brought on by my desire to live a healthier life. Too many people around me have died way too young in the past few years and I think it's important to stop and take inventory of your own life sometimes. Don't just live but live a life worth living. I want to be a better mom - wife - friend - self. For a while I thought that meant doing every thing that any one asked me to do... that didn't do it. Then I moved on to saying no when I didn't feel like something was necessary to do... that didn't work either. I've come to the conclusion that if I'm looking for fulfillment through external acknowledgement, it won't happen. I don't want to look back from the late end of 60 or the early end of 70 and realize that I spent a lot of time making excuses and complaining about how others treated me - I also don't want to spread that negativity to everyone around me - anyone who will listen. I don't know which is more contagious and infectious - the flu or negativity... Walking has given me a new focus on health - physically and mentally - and I'm so invigorated to take it to the next level. I'm doing my first 10k (even though I'm power walking it - it's still counts :) this Saturday - I know it wouldn't seem like much to the avid runner, but it's a big deal to this agoraphobic who psychs herself out toward complacency. I also signed up for a few others as well - I think I'm just as excited about the atmosphere as I am the races themselves!
The walking is for the body; the conquering of the crowd and a new experience, the mind; and the fact that I'll be stepping outside myself and focusing on the Massey Cancer center, the spirit.
Next stop... jogging :)
