Can You Walk It Out?

We are going to bed earlier these days and waking earlier. Slowly I’m evolving into a routine of writing, meditation/prayer, coffee and then the non-negotiable mid morning walk. The walk is critical for my fitness, mindset, social distance socializing and creativity. Today’s distance walk will be with our youngest son Andrew. It’s a grace filled gift to be able to share a walk and casually chat with my 28 year old ‘little goat’ about life. In our previous world this would have been a rare occurrence. To top it off right now on Vancouver Island we are experiencing an incredible run of beautiful sunny weather.

I have been a proponent of walking for years. As a baby, I’d take off and walk the neighbourhood in a diaper (much to my mother’s horror)! Growing older this activity evolved to hiking trails, walk ‘n talks with gal pals, lunchtime walks, endurance Forest Gump walks, baby distraction walks, the cardio mountain walk, meditation/prayer walks, walking a dog and my contribution to the environment: the walk instead of drive.

Every time I walk I find freedom and relaxation. There is another mindset that is reinforced, persistence or could we say grit? Yes, often I will set goals for the distance to be walked prior to the walk or stretch myself by walking an extra distance beyond what I initially planned. My father, Frank used to use long walks to push us as children to stretch beyond our boundaries. He would often underestimate (or I think under tell/sell) how long the walk would take. Looking back I think this was a huge exercise in grit development.

So here are two poems I wrote years celebrating walking in nature and getting outside for recess duty (walking the playground).

Off I go to walk in sunshine with my ‘Little goat’:

Dazzle’s Challenges:

  • Try building a labyrinth with your children. Follow the suggestions from the Labyrinth Society in the following link. Note that this activity involves measurement, geometry, art and if done outside nature.
  • 2- A great song not just for the kids but the family. Maybe consider making a family walking video :
  • As a family take a walk of a specified easier route, then midway stretch and make it harder or longer. Yes, you will endure complaints from your kids. After the hike celebrate pushing your limits and celebrate the accomplishment. Chat about how you as a group were able to get through the tough endurance and how now it’s over perspectives have changed.

Quick Take Away Links:

Basic Info on Walking

Creativity

Meditation & Labyrinths

COVID

Walking Songs

Can You Walk It Out?

We are going to bed earlier these days and waking earlier. Slowly I’m evolving into a routine of writing, meditation/prayer, coffee and then the non-negotiable mid morning walk. The walk is critical for my fitness, mindset, social distance socializing and creativity. Today’s distance walk will be with our youngest son Andrew. It’s a grace filled gift to be able to share a walk and casually chat with my 28 year old ‘little goat’ about life. In our previous world this would have been a rare occurrence. To top it off right now on Vancouver Island we are experiencing an incredible run of beautiful sunny weather.

I have been a proponent of walking for years. As a baby, I’d take off and walk the neighbourhood in a diaper (much to my mother’s horror)! Growing older this activity evolved to hiking trails, walk ‘n talks with gal pals, lunchtime walks, endurance Forest Gump walks, baby distraction walks, the cardio mountain walk, meditation/prayer walks, walking a dog and my contribution to the environment: the walk instead of drive.

Every time I walk I find freedom and relaxation. There is another mindset that is reinforced, persistence or could we say grit? Yes, often I will set goals for the distance to be walked prior to the walk or stretch myself by walking an extra distance beyond what I initially planned. My father, Frank used to use long walks to push us as children to stretch beyond our boundaries. He would often underestimate (or I think under tell/sell) how long the walk would take. Looking back I think this was a huge exercise in grit development.

So here are two poems I wrote years celebrating walking in nature and getting outside for recess duty (walking the playground).

Evening Forest

Rainbows Beyond Brick & Cement

Off I go to walk in sunshine with my ‘Little goat’:

Dazzle’s Challenges:

  • Try building a labyrinth with your children. Follow the suggestions from the Labyrinth Society in the following link. Note that this activity involves measurement, geometry, art and if done outside nature.
  • 2- A great song not just for the kids but the family. Maybe consider making a family walking video :
  • As a family take a walk of a specified easier route, then midway stretch and make it harder or longer. Yes, you will endure complaints from your kids. After the hike celebrate pushing your limits and celebrate the accomplishment. Chat about how you as a group were able to get through the tough endurance and how now it’s over perspectives have changed.

Quick Take Away Links:

Basic Info on Walking

Creativity

Meditation & Labyrinths

COVID

Walking Songs