Honest Simplicity

my daughter walking with her aunt

I love taking long leisurely walks.  I suppose I’ve always enjoyed walking and seeing the world at a slower pace.  It is a time to collect my thoughts, exercise my body, stay grounded, and maintain my overall well-being.  Like many people, though, I am also guilty of being too busy to “stop and smell the roses” at times.  I hope I never forget how wonderful a stroll can be.  When we walk, we notice the changing seasons, the neighbors down the street, the animals out and about at sunrise, and the sensation of our feet against the ground.  My kids love it when we start our day with a slow walk around our block.  They notice something new and engaging each and every time.  We may discover a sturdy piece of bark on the sidewalk…perfect for a fairy house, of course.  We may see that yet another house has been torn down in preparation for a larger structure to be built.  We might see a bird’s nest noticeable only after the leaves have fallen from the tree.  We may notice the mornings becoming cooler as summer ends.  These things are happening all around us, but we miss out when we become too busy and forget the art of walking.

the kids walking and exploring on a camping trip

I love this quote by Rebecca Solnit from her book Wanderlust, “I like walking because it is slow, and I suspect that the mind, like the feet, works at about three miles an hour.  If this is so, then modern life is moving faster than the speed of thought, or thoughtfulness.”