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.
