What if today I chose to do something totally different that what I normally do, what would it be like? I might not watch TV tonight. Yikes, what will I do with all that time? Would I slide into staring at my handheld phone, watching videos on my iPad, or going on social media? Can’t do that, it’s just substituting one drug for the another drug. I could go for a walk. I could read a book. I could handwrite a journal entry. I could bake healthy muffins and even eat one as soon as they come out of the oven. I might even sketch a design for landscaping my yard. There are plenty of alternatives.
I went for a walk today. Two lizards ran across my path. A large buck stared at me from a distance. A red tail hawk sat on a branch overlooking a nearby meadow. I carried water with me. The south Texas sun shows no mercy in the afternoon. There were no other people walking on the trail I chose. I was alone with the sights and sounds and creatures of this pristine area. When I finished my walk, my mind was clear, my body wet with sweat, and my water bottle was empty. I was in a peaceful place. Here’s hoping you have such a place near you where you can go to clear your mind and regain a sense of peace.
And who will walk a mile with me
Along life’s weary way?
A friend whose heart has eyes to see
The stars shine out o’er the darkening lea,
And the quiet rest at the end o’ the day,–
A friend who knows, and dares to say,
The brave, sweet words that cheer the way
Where he walks a mile with me.
With such a comrade, such a friend,
I fain would walk till journeys end,
Through summer sunshine, winter rain,
And then?–Farewell, we shall meet again!
I went for a nature walk today. I saw lizards, multiple species of birds, two deer, and fortunately no snakes. The only sound I heard was that of a gentle southerly breeze passing through the trees and the birds serenading me. My mind slowly emptied during my walk. By the time I finished, I was relaxed and ready to take on the day. There are times when it is important to ditch the unnatural sounds and let our minds clear out. Think of a nature walk without listening to digital media or engaging in non-stop conversation as spring cleaning for your mind.
