Walking

I find that over the last few months, walking has been cathartic.  It is healing me in mind, body, and spirit.  When you walk, you take your time.  You think. You take in everything around you.  Pray. Sing. Listen. See. Hear. You also listen for God's still small voice.

So much of our time is spent in noise. It's everywhere. We surround ourselves with it, subconsciously on purpose, so that we don't have to think about our lives, relationships, finances, pressures, sins, stresses, etc.  Music, tv, computer, phones.  It's even in the stores and malls.  Constant noise. We forget what it's like to have silence -so much so that it makes us uncomfortable. 

I often wonder how those in third world countries don't have the struggle with anxiety and depression that we do here in the West, despite their daily struggles.  Hard labor for little pay, war, death and disease, tyrannical governments.  I know there are many reasons we have some of the highest rates of clinical depression but it struck me the other day that one thing they do that we don't is walk. Everywhere.  They have no choice.  That constant exercise is so beneficial to our bodies.  It releases endorphins that stabilize our mood.  It gives our minds the time and silence needed to process things.  It allows us to pay attention to the world around us.  For those of us who are believers, it gives us time to talk to God.

I've felt it.  I've seen how it helps others that I walk with.  After a stressful day, to walk a mile or two clears the mind, calms the spirit, and de-stresses the body.  In the morning, it refreshes and energizes. Helps you get your mind and body ready for the day to come.

I will be training to walk the Camino over the next 7 months.  Whether walking one, ten, or 20 miles, I will be out there on some path nearly every day.

I'd like to start a walking ministry for women.  We all have days when we need to get rid of the anxiety of the day.  As women, we have unique stresses.  Our church at one time had a ministry called Walk, Talk, and Pray.  I'd like to rejuvenate that ministry, but with a twist.  I'm offering to walk with you.  Around your neighborhood, in a mall, on the Prairie Path or forest preserve.  We can talk, pray, or just walk in silence.  In turn, if you feel the benefits of these walks, offer to accompany someone else.  Kind of a pay-it-forward effect.  I'm willing to brave the cold if you need me to.  Call, text, or email me.