The Secret of Walking

        I have realized how little I walk on a daily basis. If I don’t go out of my way to ensure that an appropriate amount of “steps” occur during the day, I will experience a tightness in my hips and lower back. Most of my time is easily spent sitting in a car, on a couch, or in a chair. I stretch daily to counteract this, and a variety of other aches. These aches are a symptom of stagnation. Most adult Americans can identify with this issue. I’m not perfect, but I do my best to move my body every day. I don’t enjoy being in pain, and I’ve realized how significant a few minutes of walking can be for every aspect of my well-being. I don’t need to break a sweat, or even breathe heavily. I pay attention to my posture, stride length, and how my feet are making contact with the ground. I get lost in the nuances of correcting my form. Sometimes I roll my hips forward to engage my core, I’ll breathe deeply, and focus on finding an anatomically correct way to move my body. Even after just a few minutes, I wonder if there isn’t a mind altering substance in the air around me. The details in the bark of trees and flower heads is insane. When I walk I’m reminded of my connection to this planet, and that our species is just a part of this massive organism we call “Earth”. More often than not I get overwhelmed by the concrete jungles we live in. I sit at my desk, or on my phone, and worry about achieving certain goals for work, life, etc. Sometimes on my walks I realize how cold, or hot it is outside. When I get home, despite the frustrations I may have felt prior to my walk, I think about how much these material objects we live in shelter us. I’m grateful for it, and at times I’m annoyed by it. I wish we had learned more applicable skills in school. “How to build shelter”, “how to get clean water”, “how to forage for food”. I feel like a hairless cat. Defenseless against the outside elements. Fully dependent on the machine that I play my part in operating. Maybe someday society will collapse, and we will revert to our primal ways. I’m probably relying on that happening, and am only maintaining my sanity in the meantime through exercise, walking, and various other personal projects. Get in touch with who you are. What drives you, and why? Listen to your body. Connect with it. I’ve noticed how our minds will refuse to listen until our body has had enough, and goes on strike. Back pain, Sciatica, knee and hip issues. Your body is where it is because of you. It can always get better. Stay dedicated to your development and see where it takes you. A short walk is a great place to start.