Moving the body
Today, I walked to an appointment I had on the other side of town and the day before I rode my bicycle to work. (I am in Concord four days a week for about eight weeks) It would be really nice to be able to do that every day.
My father walked to work for thirty+ years, it was a forty five minute walk each way. He once confided in me that a friend offered us a house for a very reasonable price on the north shore of long island, I remember the house, it was in Northport, a beautiful place, and he turned it down because he wouldn't be able to walk to work. One of his job requirements was that he worked within walking distance of home.
To this day, I can't decide if he was selfish (hey, he could have parked a ways from work and walked...but like most of us probably never would have) or did the right thing. It was the right thing for him.
When I worked on the heights I used to walk a fair amount of the time. And it was a nice warm up and wind down time no matter what the weather. For me, right now, it would be nice to not NEED a car. If I go away I can rent; in time buy something good for travelling that is not an SUV.
Walking, or riding allows one to experience so much more than driving; the sights, smells, feel of the air, sound of the place. There is time to admire the sky, take note of a building or garden, be struck by colors and patterns, people and even vehicles. Riding by a schoolyard I could hear the children calling out, just as they seem to have always called out "Over Here! Hey Look!", and see them running, kicking balls, swinging on playground equipment and talking earnestly. Walking, a particular plant or window might be observed, there is something soothing in moving along a street or path on your own power. It is easier to let thoughts drift away, to be in the here and now. In time, it becomes a meditation.
When I walk, ride my bicycle, get somewhere on snowshoes or skis, I feel so much better; the more often and regular the activity the better. So what hold me back on those days I stay in?
Me. The reasons are unclear.
10 miles a day
My uncle who lived to be in his seventies, used to walk 10 miles everyday. He said it was something he looked forward to each day. Dan
Sarah,
I really enjoyed this post. I use to walk a lot during college. And when I lived in Gloucester, MA, I would look for reasons to walk around that historic town. Now, as much as I love my little town of Hillsboro, it is not very conducive to walking. I like to walk around my neighborhood, but one street has some pretty scary dogs that we all know to avoid. Plus, to get into town, there is a massive hill that is very discouraging.
Maybe i'm just making excuses. Hopefully, as I get into better shape, I will walk around town more often.