I started taking "soul walks" in 2012. These were a departure from walking for fitness, walking with others, walking with headphones, listening to music, podcasts, affirmations, not being present.
Taking a "soul walk" is to notice everything. To be totally in my body. To be aware of how it moves and how it feels. I notice my breath, my steps, the breeze on my skin. I notice the things all around me.
I take in the unique architecture of the homes in our neighbourhood. The house with the sandstone tiles and the metallic trim. The double story that has the sheer curtains in the upstairs bedroom that cascade behind the blind and blow gently in the early morning breeze. The home with the vintage awnings covering their bedroom windows on the western side to block out the afternoon sun.
I see a kaleidoscope of colours in the plants and birdlife. The different greens of the grass and trees, the multi coloured flowers rising up from their beds. Screeching parrots in the callistemon trees. The call and swoop of the plovers to warn me away from their young. The bees and butterflies hovering above flowers.
The footsteps of the jogger behind me on the path, and the whizz of the wheels of the cyclist, ringing their bell as they pass. The rustle in the bushes as the wallaby jumps out and takes off to escape me and my dogs.
Soul walks calm me, they help me to be grounded in the present moment. They draw me closer to my wise self and to God. They are how I get ready for the day ahead. Before interacting with others, before reaching for my phone, before bombarding my nervous system, I walk.
Do you take soul walks or have a similar daily practise? I'd love to hear about it.
Emma xx
ⓒEmma Jane @ Nurture For You 2022 - no portion of this post may be lifted, copied, quoted, reworked or reproduced without written permission from the author. I can be contacted at info@nurtureforyou.com to request such permission.
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