I try and go for a long walk every day. It is scheduled on my calendar every day. I try and go if its raining, snowing, or just downright cold. Somedays I do miss my walk, but it has become such an important part of my day I try not to miss it. I am thankful for all that these long walks give me.
Long walks give the gift of exercise first and foremost. Walking is exercise that doesn’t hurt me. For a beat up weight lifter this is awesome. Long walks are a way to get some cardio in without the risk of injury. I like milking some mileage out of this easy kind of exercise. Trying to be fit and healthy is important to me, and walking is a piece of this. The fitness benefits of walking are great, but the mental benefits are far greater for me.
I have found long walks to be one of the best things to do for my mood and thinking. Coming back from walking I always seem to have a boost in my mood. Getting outside and getting some endorphins going help with that. When I walk and its quiet I also seem to have a lot of ideas come to me. I take a notepad with me every time I walk, I usually come back with a good idea or two. On top of this sometimes when I’m stuck on an intellectual problem and come back from a walk, the problem has solved itself in my head. If this is not magic, I don’t know what is. Going for these walks isn’t magic, but it can feel like it sometimes.
Walks do sometimes feel like I am unlocking magic. Things go better after a nice long walk. That is magic enough for me. That is probably why I’m so disciplined about getting my walks in. I need that magic in my life. I am thankful to have found this special kind of white magic. When we find magic, well we would be smart to lean into that magic.