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.

Sometimes... We Need Only Listen to Ourselves

Faith is an oasis in the heart

Which can never be reached by the caravan of thinking.

“Kahil Gibran”

When I read the quote above, I can only laugh. It is so true. It is not the endless thinking and dissecting of something that brings its message to us in a manner that allows it to illuminate our being and give us the feeling inside that we know it is right. It is that stir inside our heart, inside our soul, that tells us that this is the right road to be on and that this is the beginning of the journey that we truly want to travel. Another word for faith is intuition. Intuition is a gift that is all too often overlooked. Overlooked because many times it tells us things which are contrary to what we have had engrained into our minds to believe. We have that small quiet voice inside of us that urges us to take a turn, to choose something or believe something that is not quite in line with what we claim ourselves to represent. Yet we often ignore it because of what would others think? How would such a decision effect how I am perceived by those who look at me each day? Would it make them treat me any differently? Would it label me in a manner that could possibly separate me from others? Do I really want to stand up for this considering how it may eventually affect me?

Many times such decisions could very well do just that. And of course we would rather make sure that all those who look at us…. Let me rephrase that…. All those whom we think look at us feel comfortable. We would not want to upset their delicate life’s journey by changing our impact on it. Therefore we remain as we are. Even when we feel that it is not necessarily right. We can endure the indifference we may feel. We can endure the uncomfortable feelings of not choosing as our intuition leads us. All so that someone who more than likely could care less in regards to our final decision, will not have their life bothered. Of course there are times when those closest to you may balk at any attempt you may make to change. This is because a change will disrupt their environment and cause them to adjust. It is not necessarily because they care that they balk. It is not like they are certain that such a choice on your behalf is not a good one. It is more likely because it creates an uncomfortable feeling for them. Things are not flowing as before. They may be required to readjust themselves as well to accept the “new” you. This would mean change, goodness no.

Still when one is blessed with the gift of intuition we should heed its message. It is given for a good reason. So often we look at life as simple black and white. What we choose to do or not do is often if not always based on what we see, hear, smell, etc. It is based on that which we can describe and show some form of reasoning for. Yet when we allow intuition to play a role in such a decision we are basing our final outcome on a something that cannot quite be described. It is a sense within us that this is the right answer even if every other sense is telling us the opposite. It is what some call a gut feeling. It cannot be described in a manner that is acceptable to most because of the lack of facts that back it up. It can only be described as a feeling and because it is your feeling it is difficult to convey that exact feeling to another in a manner that they too would experience the same thing.

Intuition is given to us as a sense unto itself, although it is often not looked at in this manner. A good example of this is the example of a small child. A child has such a trusting nature. They have the ability to look at a situation and see it for what it truly is. Their eyes have not yet been clouded by the rules and regulations that are often given to everyone eventually. You know what I am speaking of; the rules that slowly form us into “what we are supposed to be”. Children, especially young ones, have not allowed these rules to penetrate them yet. Therefore they see with open eyes… Their intuition is vivid and strong. It is not only felt and viewed as true; it is also seen and heard. It is still a true sense. There is no question as to its validity as it is proven by all that is around.

It is time that we allow ourselves to trust that which has been lacking from our senses for so long. It is time that we open our minds to the messages that come to us daily telling us what is true and what is right. It is time we trust that small quiet voice inside. It is there for a reason. It is there to help guide us where we need to go. I am in no means saying that we should disregard the words of counsel that we receive from friend, family, and others. It is just that we should likewise take into account our own words that lie within ourselves. Sometimes the answer to the questions we seek so diligently is already answered and sitting right inside of us.

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.