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Walking: Refreshment for Body & Soul |
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There are many modes of traveling and mine is walking. I have walked in fields, woods, mountain paths, country roads, city streets, down alleyways, along creeks, over the Golden Gate Bridge; and I have sauntered the labyrinth. By making contact with the ground directly with my feet, I have a deeper connection with each place and I learn to know it and appreciate the wonders of God. Each person’s walk is a personal experience. How one walks and what one receives differs with each walk. I find that my senses are awakened and I notice things that would otherwise escape me. I listen for the birds singing and chirping and sometimes wonder what they are gossiping about. I listen to the wind gently blowing through the trees and at times singing a song of praise. I see the freedom of children playing a game and joy touches my heart. I listen to the story that the trees share about their faithfulness and the many storms of nature that they have weathered. Walking is a learning experience. Last summer I watched a little five-year old girl who was learning to ride her bike down a steep hill. Her father was caring for her baby sister and was at the foot of this hill. The little girl was fearful, yet excited about her ride, and called out to her Daddy shouting, “Daddy, if I fall will you catch me?” Her Daddy said, “I’m here and I will catch you.” Isn’t this the story of our life? We call out in our fear and our worry to God. God tells us, “I’m here.” Walking is my favorite form of exercise, recreation, exploration, relaxation and meditation. I feel it enhances my physical, psychological and spiritual well being. After a good long walk I feel mentally, spiritually and physically refreshed. The benefits from walking are many. It lowers cholesterol, improves my cardiovascular health, and I live a healthier life style. It helps maintain the ability to live independently and reduces the risk of falling and fracturing bones. Mentally, I find that Dubuque offers me a beautiful boulevard with flowers, plants, trees and special places for finding peace, silence and beauty…all this combats the stress of daily life. Spiritually, walking gives me time to reflect and realize that my life is a sacred journey. It is about change, growth, discovery, transformation, listening and being challenged every step of the way. Memories of God’s people who have walked with me on this sacred journey through life are a blessing. I will continue to walk confidently in God’s healing, beauty, wisdom, dignity and love. About the author: Regina Megivern, BVM (Verna) is retired at the Mount Carmel Motherhouse, Dubuque, where she volunteers Return
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This morning I had a
long walk. I loved it! It was brisk but I snuggled up in my gray hooded
jacket and gloried in the fresh morning air. I thrilled to the rising sun,
its dazzling color touching the maples along Grandview Avenue. I walked
with a spring to my step and sang Alleluia.