Day 172-Simple, free and yours for the taking

I spent all day working inside.

That was fine, I suppose. 

But after work, I went out for my walk. And my entire world opened up. 

The smell of trees, moisture and must. Leaves underfoot and drops of rain on pine needles. Cold, wet air kissed my cheeks, and my feet moved like horses that had been let out to pasture. Easy, comfortable and free. Happy to be hittin' the pavement.

I love walking. More than I ever thought I would. I am filled with gratitude that such simplicity comes with so many benefits. 

What a gift we can give ourselves EVERY DAY. For those of you that aren't yet regular, daily walkers, I challenge you to offer yourself that gift for one week. 

See how you feel. Make it happen. If not now, when?

Left foot, left foot, left foot, right.  Feet in the morning, feet at night. 

XOX, 
Dani

 

 

Day 171-Beeg and Leetle

This morning was clear and brisk, and perfect for an early morning walk. I was walking along, enjoying the moon so high up in the sky, when I remembered the moon in Mexico, and how much I loved gazing up at it while there. 

Looking at the heavens when you're away from home can remind you that we're all under the same moon. 

Which means we're all in the same boat, after all. 

A disaster like Hurricane Sandy also serves to remind us that we're all in the same boat together AND we are mighty small compared to the powers of nature. 

Mighty leetle.

BUT...our actions can be big, both to our planet and each other. 

Might beeg.

A kindness can make a big impact on another, just as a thoughtless act can make a big difference to another human being. 

Today, take a minute to remember your place in this universe. Remember that you are leetle, but you can make a beeg difference.  

Smooch, 
Dani



 

Day 170-I'm walkin', yes indeed, I'm shoppin'...

I have a loved one who is not really a person that moves. At all. A few years ago, it was recommended that this person WALK for her health. She did not. When I gently harassed her as to why she did not follow the doctor's advice, she complained there were no places for her to walk. 

Sigh. 

People are strange. 

I offered up "mall walking". She LOVES LOVES LOVES to shop, and I figured a mall walk would entice her to get moving, get mobile and gain some health. 

She never did, and now she's practically home-bound and immobile. Now she feels it's too late, so she's thrown in the towel. This breaks my heart.

I can tell you two things, Dear Walker:

1. It is NEVER too late. As long as you're breathing on your own, you can improve your situation, and

2. Mall walking is fun. 

I kid you not. 

Today was a weird day. I took my poodle to the neighboring giant center of commerce for his haircut, about 40 minutes away from my island. I had to kill three hours in that area. It was early. It was raining. I was dogless. So I decided to walk my talk (ha!) and go for a stroll in the Silverdale Mall. 

Let me offer up that I DESPISE malls. Don't like 'em, and don't like shopping. I've worn the same pair of jeans for 6 years until I saw a post with the picture of my rear end looking all saggy and stuff. Then I bought a new pair and it took me 5 minutes. No exaggeration. 

Ever since I spent the first few years of my working life in a mall, I've disliked them. No air, bad music, too many humans. 

MY uniform was even dorkier.

But today, I went BEFORE the mall opened. There were some mall-walking humans, and the music was still bad and there was no air. But I logged 2.5 miles in that mall this morning. 

I see the virtue of mall-walking for certain populations. The elderly, less-mobile, or more timid might benefit from the environment. 

There are no rocks or sidewalk bumps to trip over. It's climate-controlled. There are no barking dogs nor rushing cars. Birds can't poop on your head. And it's well-lit.

So, while I wouldn't do it everyday, if it's the only way a person will walk, then they should do it. That's all I have to say. Also, if you work in a mall, might as well take advantage of that time before work to log some movement.

Also, you might want to finish your walk before they all pull up their giant doors. I still was walking for 15 minutes after they all opened, and ended up feeling like I needed a plaid flannel shirt, boots, a pretzel, my watch repaired, a leather guitar strap, a velvet black-light poster and a push-up bra. 

Oh, I guess there are some hazards, after all. 

Besties, 
Dani