Walk With Intention

Walking is the most unexpected gift you can give to your body, mind, and soul. While traditional meditation is ideal, it's not always attainable. Especially for me, someone who has a lot of Mercury energy stimulating my chart. On my best days it's exhilarating, like ecstasy. Most days it can feel like white noise. Too much caffeine, but not enough motivation. Meditation is great, except that my body wants to release that excess energy too. And that's how I started going on long walks. I started walking in high school, not realizing that I was actually practicing mindfulness. I just took a walk one day, realized it helped me feel better, so I just kept going for walks. Pretty cool when it happens like that.

It kind of became my unofficial ritual. Whenever I feel somber, unproductive, or empty I turn to walking. I grab a cup of coffee, my headphones, some crystals, and leave everything else behind. Out the door I go and wander aimlessly. There is no right or wrong direction. Just me, my thoughts, music to feed my soul, my crystals and my coffee. The perfect medicine. Back in high school I would cut gym, so I could go on my walk earlier. Kind of ironic, to cut gym to exercise. Let's be real though, we all hated gym in high school and would rather go on a walk.

I romanticize every step, every leaf, and every tree. Dead flowers bring hope, because they are a reminder that there is beauty in death. I'd reflect on my thought patterns, the song playing, and whatever is irking me in that moment. After about 30-minutes, my thoughts start to quiet down. The energy of the air finally takes over then. It's intoxicating. For a second, I don't exist and everything is vital. The ground I am walking on. The sky above me. The squirrel running across the street. So much so that I end up in my own world.

It almost feels like a secret adventure. Time escapes me and I find myself marveling at every pebble. I follow the path that just feels right. On one occasion, I was led by a rabbit to their friends while listening to Fleetwood Mac. In that moment I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I was feeling what I was supposed to be feeling. That rabbit knew they had to lead me on that mini adventure.

The change of the seasons may change the nature of the walk, but not the tranquility I feel. The weather is unbearably hot in the summer, but I am at peace. If only for that moment, I have solace. I soak in the beams of light blazing through my skin. On the other end, walking during the first snowfall is as surreal as it gets. Despite the freezing temperature, there is a comfort in the stillness of the snow. The way the snow falls like crystals sent here to cleanse my soul and clean my tracks. There is forgiveness and bliss. These are the thoughts that come to my mind on walks. I need to embrace the environment and let it encompass me. It's the best self-care I have been able to find.

It's freedom to be who I want to be. It's freedom to live out all the lives I want to lead. It's freedom to think about all of the lives I may have previously led. It's freedom to write and to be myself. As dark as my thoughts may get, there is beauty in them. Like the dead flowers, there is beauty in everything. The walking helps get the words and feelings out. It's a way to release energy that is holding me back and breath in energy that will take me on the right path. It’s going for a walk in the city and envisioning my dream apartment. It’s walking in nature and feeling the grace of the trees. It’s a clarity that I just can’t fabricate.

If you have ever thought about meditating and decided it was near impossible. I beg you to go for a walk. Pick an album and go out to explore. Gaze at every branch and allow yourself to let go. Allow yourself to think about everything and nothing. Go where your mind wants to take you, as your legs mindlessly walk. It’s a mindful practice for those of us with just too much energy to sit still.