Walking Whole

I like to go for walks. I am a fan of exploring the great outdoors, wandering through the urban jungle, and (as cliche as it is) love long walks on the beach. I have found “soaking it all in” is better served when I feel like I’m in control of the destination, oftentimes with no destination in mind.??

Along the way, I have found more “bumps” than not. I’ve come to the conclusion that the road is just that — it’s bumps, cracks, potholes, fallen trees, rocks, and that sharp seashell that pierced my foot at Ocean Beach that one time. They are not obstacles. These are just the many pieces of the road.?

Your life is not defined by comparing all of the pieces. It is defined by the whole.?

At points, you can smile through the journey, and pay those difficult parts no mind. Other times, your foot comes down on the top of a broken mussel so hard that the blood gushes like bursting fireworks. So you take a minute to mend the wound.?

When I find myself taking the time to heal, I also take a moment to take in the scenery around me. I bear the pain as best as I can, and find relief in the good things. When it is time to get back on my feet again, that is exactly what I do. The walk continues. If the universe is generous, then there is barely a limp. If it isn’t, then I crawl. You can never stop for too long. You always need to keep moving.?

Traveling companions will come along, and some will stay for most of the journey. If you are lucky, some might even stick around for the whole thing. You may find yourself carrying them in times of need, and you yourself might need to be carried. Just try not to worry.?

Sometimes the road forks, or you pivot into the unknown and make your own path. Try not to internalize and obsess over what could have gone differently had you chosen another way. Instead, be mindful about where you are and where you are going. Take in difficult times with laughter, and let humor be your guide in times of stress. Most times, laughter is just the gut reacting to an analysis that hits home. It can become a powerful tool in self-assessment. It can be a boat to carry you when there are rivers to cross (as Jimmy Cliff notes, there will be many).?

Take joy in circling back to past trails if you need to, and clear away the bits that might be dangerous for other travelers. Brush aside the branches that you missed the first time around. Toss aside the tangled thorny vines. Acknowledge mistakes, and hold yourself accountable for them. Turn your attention to avoiding them through old paths and new as you tear down the barriers.?

Become a force for good without asserting force. Mindful growth requires restraint. It requires one to exhibit silence in the face of the anger, and anger to be silenced when confronted with kindness. Meet aggression with warmth and grace, and others will come to the same conclusion on their own.?Never stew in judgment. Set a positive example. ?

Take care of those traveling in opposite directions as you would your own traveling companions. To take care of others is to take care of yourself. Avoid clinging to selfish desires. Be a helper. Provide support to others free of expectations. Ask how you can help, and find ways to make a meaningful impact through your actions.

Give yourself freely as often as you can, and you will see your fellow travelers along the road do the same. The journey stops being arduous when we realize that we’re all in it together.?