When A Short Walk Just Isn't A Stroll

With all the newness about us as spring unveils herself to us, what better time to take what I like to call a Gratitude Walk. Many of us take gratitude walks and don’t even realize it. A gratitude walk is when you take a walk yet at the same time you pay attention to your surroundings. You open yourself to the sites and the sounds… the smells and the sensations. You acknowledge the simple things that all too often are allowed to go unnoticed, unexperienced, unenjoyed.

As you acknowledge the many things that will come to your attention take note of those things that bring pleasure or a smile to your face. In turn say a quick thank you for the moment recognizing the small gift that was just given to you. Stop and smell that beautiful peonies that blooms in that radiant shade of red. Enjoy its fragrant aroma that only it can give. Or maybe it’s the local bakery that tickles your nose more. The smell of fresh baked bread or maybe a freshly glazed cinnamon roll. Listen to the sound of the mockingbird as you stroll past the small maple tree that it has claimed as its home. As you get closer you realize that it is not a song he sings yet a warning to steer clear of his territory. A smile crosses your face at his fierceness and tenacity to keep intruders from what he sees as his.

A gratitude walk can be taken anywhere. Examples: A walk in your local park, where one can admire the budding trees and the flowers that are blooming. The sound of playful children and the many birds that enjoy the abundant possibility for food or a home. The smell of the nearby popcorn stand where freshly buttered popcorn can be purchased if one so desires.

Maybe you would prefer a walk in a more intimate area such as a nearby wooded area. The sound of the small stream as it flows over the rocks at the bottom of the clear water. The majesty of the towering trees that sit at its edge and shade you as you stroll down a narrow well worn path. The flash of color seen as the bluebird soars past you looking for its morning feed. The many opportunities to experience true nature.

If a long walk is not necessarily something that you have time for, a simple jaunt out your front door and across the yard to pick up the daily mail can be a gratitude walk in itself. Each moment is different, filled with a new activity and occurrence. Who knows what newness you may come across just by stepping out into your yard?

I myself often take several strolls across my yard in one day. Now I do this a bit more often as I now take Winston out to do his business. Yet even before then I enjoyed taking my daily gratitude walk. This time of year has been exceptionally fun as of late. It seems that you can almost see the flowers bloom and the leaves on the trees emerge. Being the lover of birds that I am, a sighting never ceases to amaze me.  During my walks is also when I snap many of my photographs of nature.  I recently posted a few of my Roses over at My Photography Site .  Check them out is you want.

Yesterday I saved a small cow bird from the clutches of my cat Sunny, who sees himself as the great hunter. He grabs them so gently that if I manage to get to him quickly, I can usually save them. Today I took the bird carefully from Sonny’s mouth and held it to verify that it was ok. I was sure to convey the message that it should be more aware of how Sonny was and to be more careful next time. Then I release my hold. He perched on my fingers for a few moments keeping his eye on me the whole time. Then he flew to return to where he came from. It was a special moment indeed.

The next time you have the opportunity to take a short stroll or maybe even a long hike, take a few extra moments to look around at what surrounds you. Take notice of the many sounds you hear in the air. Draw in a deep breath through your nose and allow the smells to penetrate your nostrils. If you are lucky enough to be somewhere where you have the opportunity to taste your surroundings by all means indulge a little and pick that fresh strawberry as it lies on the ground all plump and red. There are things to be grateful for all around. Even the people that surround you can sometimes go unnoticed although they are there every day. Maybe a brisk gratitude walk is just what you need. Blessings to you.

Enjoy - Endulge - Feel

I really had no intention of writing this morning... I was just going to  skim through everyones recent post and sit back and enjoy my Saturday... Then I came across Lyon's Post over at the Wandering Hearth....  A wonderful account of the beauty of the enjoyment of ones senses.  Something I think all too often we let slip by us.  The smell of a fresh morning... as you first step out to greet it.  The sun slowly rising over the horizon and the feeling arcoss your face of warmth as it continues to rise... the sound of the morning birds as they slowly awaken and begin their day.  Calling out to one another in song.  And that is just the first moments of morning... Imagine what a full 24 hour day could hold..... We have not even spoken about the the sense of taste or sight... It is an endless list of things that make us feel good, that make us smile.  Those things , that can transform us even when we are lost in the darkest of corners. 

It doesn't have to be just the five senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch.  It can be felt inward also.. as there is nothing more precious then holding a sleeping baby in your arms.  Many of you I am sure have walked in the openess of nature and partaken of her beauty and all the wonderful sensory overloads she can give.  There is nothing like sitting in a "silent" wood and listening to all the sounds that surround you.... The birds and their many songs, the leaves as they rustle against the breeze as it softly blows, the sound of water as it runs over the many stones in the nearby stream.  The smell of the dew on the leaves that have fallen and cover the ground... the smell of the many wildflowers that periodically drift through on the wind as it blows, bringing with it a slight taste of each bloom.  And of course there is the pleasure of the visual side of all such things. 

And of course let us not forget the wonderful sense of taste.  There are millions if not billions of different taste that arouse, comfort, and tease all of us...  From the taste of that first cup of coffee in the morning to the indulgence of chocolate.  For some it is the light fresh taste of sashimi others prefer the lush taste of  a rare grilled steak.  Yet in all cases whatever we choose when we partake of it, we are transformed by the sensations that we receive. 

So my question to ponder is... What is your favorite sensual experience  or lets just say one of your favorite ones... As I know that it may be difficult to cut it down to just one.  From the sensations of touch and feel to the indulgences of taste let your mind wander.  Or maybe you are more moved by the vibration of sound and the feeling that it can bring to you.  And of course there is always the wonderful sense of sight which can allow us to experience so many things whether it be from actually standing on a mountains edge or sitting comfortably back at a movie  lost in a fantasy world created before you.   

Blessed Sunday to You All

What a wonderful fall this has been so far.  The last week brought temperatures well above what is considered normal.  It was hard for me to motivate myself to stay inside and do anything that did not  involve going outdoors.  As the end of the week drew near, I found myself losing self control and snuck away for a couple days to just enjoy the beauty and the warm (almost 80) temperatures.  I know that November is not known for this and that in a matter of days that number can take a nose dive to a more seasonable temperature.

I tried to keep myself productive outside as I enjoyed the weather.  The newly hatched wasps made a game of making me look like a fool to my neighbors as they frequently dived at me.  I think they were quite confused at the weather themselves.  Flowers continue to bloom attempting to take every chance they can to show themselves before finally falling into the sleep known as winter.  I have a potatoe beetle that refuses to take no as an answer as to whether or not he can gain access to my home... Daily he sits on the back screen door waiting for the moment when it opens and he attempts once more to enter.  I will miss him when he is gone. 

It has been a time of peace and enjoyment.  A time of gentle ease before I know that once more I will need to busy myself with all the doings that I have.  I think it is important for us all to take advantage of times like these when we are given them.  It helps us to regenerate ourselves for what is ahead.  Many times we may think that there is nothing ahead or that we can not take the time to stop and enjoy.  I like to think that Mother Earth knows us all too well.  That these moments are given to us to help us to cope and  to be ready for what is to come.  Plus it helps to ease my guilt for being lazy.  :-)

So for the rest of your Sunday, sit back, relax.... do something for yourself or someone dear to you.  Smile often and reflect on things that help that very thing to happen.  Enjoy yourself.... for tomorrow is Monday...