During these times of the ongoing nonsense that is PandemicMania, I’ve discovered that simple walks during the day can do more to sooth my mind than just about anything.
I’ve tried and tried and tried meditation. I sit, close my eyes, breathe, think of nothing (which leads to thinking about everything) and eventually either get fidgety or fall asleep.
But for some reason, walks calm my mind and ease my racing brain. And I know it’s exercise, but it doesn’t feel like exercise. It’s more….like medicine.
I’ve read lots of books about hiking, the best ones are by Keith Foskett, who has made a life of simply walking. He’s hiked the Camino, the AT, the PCT and many more. His writings convey the ‘mindfulness’ of just walking.
So I’ve taken to calling my daily walks a ‘sojourn’. It sounds fancy, doesn’t it. It reminds me to walk at the pace my body and mind want, not looking for a certain amount of time or distance. Just peace.
Semper Fortis
Chief Chuck
Walks are spiritual. Every person I've talked to that has done a long distance hike suchbas to AT or PCT left the trail a completely changed person. I plan to hike the AT in 2 years myself.
I enjoy my walks as well, throw a pipe in the mix and you can reach levels of clarity otherwise unattainable.