Nadine J Walters – My Life

Walking with Andy early today, I became aware of how much this daily walk meant to me. I am so lucky to live in a place where natural beauty and adventure of all types are there to be found. This morning it was a hot air balloon cruising over the houses – a little later it was the same balloon landing in the street in front of the houses.

The air this morning, cold and crisp was just perfect and Andy ran free, zooming in circles and sniffing all sorts of smells. However, this was short lived because the geese have been out in flocks, leaving goose poop in their wake. Goose poop is one of Andy’s favorite treats so his freedom was short lived, and the walk was on leash with me occasionally admonishing him to “leave it”. The walk was still calming, quiet, and well received by my soul.

I began listening to an audiobook, then I decided to turn to a podcast. The first listening treat that came up in my feed was Good Life Project. The episode was “The Life-changing Power of Daily Walks” with Libby Delane. The discussion centered on how powerful her early morning walk was, not only exercise for the body, but instead exercise for the entire self. She shared how the walk gave her a connection to her surroundings and this transferred into her creativity. Her wisdom really resonated with me. She considers herself a walker, just like runners call themselves runners.

I find it funny how the exact things I am thinking about, especially on my walks, randomly turn up in my podcast feed at exactly the right time. I think Elizabeth Gilbert would call that “Big Magic”. I value my morning walks just as Libby Delane values hers. They give me a reason to get up, get going, set my day, calm my mind, excite my curiosity, and to be who I am.

Today was an amazing coincidence and I am so grateful that Libby was able to articulate what I was thinking. I, too, am a walker.