In my last post, I announced that for the month of August I was challenging myself to walk 6,000 steps every day. It is halfway through the month of August now. I have not walked every day due to weather, schedule, or pain; however, over the first 15 days, I have averaged 5,816 steps per day.

On the nature trail

I particularly love walking in the woods at the park whether it is my neighborhood wooded park or the state park.

The elderly couple who lost their dog earlier this year now carry a bag of bacon Beggin’ strips to hand out to the dogs they meet along the path. Each time they vaguely remember Carmela and me only to tell us the same story again of the loss of their pet.

A woman who introduced herself as Theresa and her poodle-mix, Penny whom she carries more than allows to walk. As we walked, she told me of her two divorces to two veterans who grew up in the area although she is from Georgia and had lived in Germany for two years with one of her now exes. I enjoyed her stories, and we ended our time together with her giving me her personal card with phone number and email address. She said most times when she hands her card to people she meets along the trail, she never hears from them again. I plan on contacting her to join us occasionally on our walks.

There are experienced walkers, bicyclists, skateboarders who know the unwritten etiquette rules of approaching and passing others on the trail or path, and then there are others who are oblivious to others enjoyment. The sneakers and the loud talkers. The people who sneak up on you without announcing their approach are usually on bikes and then wonder why I am slowing them down. The loud talkers who travel in twos or packs that stop in the middle of the path blocking those who would like to move through without dodging bike tires and hand gestures. I usually wait behind them until they eventually move along to protect Carmela.

When I am aware of people approaching from behind or ahead of me, Carmela is commanded to sit by my side until they pass by. Dog manners are important especially when people want to pet dogs they do not know. When strangers, children, or other dog owners’ approach, I do not know their history with dogs or their dog. Are they scared of dogs? Have they had a bad experience with dogs? Do they have preconceived ideas about breed mixes? Do their dogs get along with other dogs? Dog manners protect everyone (including appropriate leashes and properly taking care of pet waste).

While Carmela is sitting, I allow certain children and adults to pet her, but I instruct them to approach slowly, holding out their hand to allow Carmela to sniff while I am crouching next to her, and then I allow them to pet her advising them not to put their faces too close to Carmela’s face. Carmela is a friendly dog; however, she is still a dog. Dogs can be spooked by sudden moves or loud voices. Dogs and kids can be unpredictable.

Meeting nature

The best meditation walk is early in the morning or early evening with fewer people to share the trail or path and the woods are just waking up and the wildlife begins to appear.

The peace of the woods is a drug. I am easily transported to a peaceful place in mind, body, and spirit. The deer seem to silently float through the trees. Chipmunks that race atop the logs, the bird choir, and the squirrels that dodge and dart patrolling the woods, the herons, and otters along the riverbanks, and the scent of the evergreens, the white pine, the oaks and the maples all living side by side is magical and intoxicating.

Nature walks are the best therapy drug.

I take pictures and wildlife videos of my walks and incorporate them into my journal reflections. As the seasons change, I can reflect on how nature changes as well as how I have changed. Journaling in general has always been the best therapy but incorporating my reflections from these meditative nature walks over the past weeks has brought that therapy to a new level of stress relief in mind, body, and spirit to setting new goals (which I will be writing about in my next blog post) for harmony in wellness.

Until next time…

Peace,

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