Do you have time to stroll?

No I don’t mean a 6am power walk.  Do you have time to meander?  To shoot the breeze with neighbours?  To watch a bird building its nest? Or are you filled with a nagging feeling, no matter what you are doing, that there is something else that needs your attention?  Is your mind constantly racing trying to keep all the balls in air? Are you hanging out for a holiday so you can just catch your breath? I was reminded recently of the power of walking.  My nine year old son had begged to come running with me.  I reluctantly said ‘yes’.  My morning run is my time and I didn’t want to give it up.  We started out well, running but soon we slowed to a walk and the talking started.  Every time we would get into a good rhythm my son would stop and fire another question at me.  When I asked him why he kept walking, his answer was quick, “I can’t run and talk”. Sometimes talk is cheap but not when it is with your 9 year old son.  So we walked and talked all the way home – it was delightful.  But my story doesn’t end there.  Walking really became important to me when I had my first baby.  When I couldn’t get him to sleep, the 9 year old talker, I would put him in the pram and off we would go.  Apart from a sleeping baby, which is better than winning the lotto, were the people I met.  There was Gwen who lived in the old workers cottage who had a terrible cough from years of smoking. Lenny, who had a head injury from World War ll, which still gave him terrible headaches but didn’t stop him from weeding the grass the length of the street.  Glenda, who has the most beautiful flower garden.  Ross, who lived alone in the same small house for 50 years and collected model trains.  Last but not least, I have to mention the bus driver whom I have been waving to for 9 years.  At first it started as a polite, ‘thank you,’ wave when he would stop to let us cross safely at the roundabout, to a genuine wave of friendship even though we have never spoken a word.  I could keep writing about the many beautiful characters that live in my community but I would be here all day.  They all enrich my life and create that precious sense of belonging to a community.  My point – the walking allowed the space for the talking but more importantly, my lifestyle choices and living by my values allowed the space for the walking. I hope you find the space for stroll soon.