A Walk …. with Lexi

A walk with lexiAn early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.  ~ Henry David Thoreau Thursday (July 12th) marked the birthday of my favorite author – Henry David Thoreau.

To commemorate his birthday, I spent alot of time writing.  I would have gone walking, but we are experiencing a muggy heat wave in the NorthEast, and as much as I am a fan of Nature.. I am not a fan of heatstroke.

Lexi and I did get out for a walk yesterday…. we jaunted down to Otter Ponds so she could take a dip in the ponds before the heat of the day took over.

Because it was so early, when we got out to the ponds we were completely alone.  I wondered what it would have been like to have visited the ponds 100 years earlier.  Before the days of electricity, cars, phones… all the modern conveniences.  I then pulled my iPhone out of my back pocket, took a picture of Lexi playing by the waters edge, and uploaded it to Facebook. Crazy, even in my daydreaming of pioneering I can’t seem to resist a good status update.

Being PensiveWalking back, it was harder to imagine ourselves in the past, so my mind went to where it centers – the present.  Lexi galloped ahead, trying to out run the flock of mosquitoes that were chasing her… and I thought about the meaning of walking.  We have turned it into a form of exercise.  A chore.  I hate chores… but I love walking.   I thought about my Dad, and how he loves to walk his fields.  He surveys each hill, notes each change in the landscape, dutifully studies the wildlife, their habits – while they stand astute and study Dad and his habits.

I thought about my own occupation … how I sit for hours on end at my computer, on the phone, or studiously studying research for my workshops and masterminds.  I thought about how Thoreau scoffed  “When sometimes I am reminded that the mechanics and shopkeepers stay in their shops not only for the forenoon, but all the afternoon too, sitting with crossed legs, so many of them – as if the legs were made to sit upon – I think they deserve some credit for not having all committed suicide long ago”  What he just described was being stir-crazy…. that feeling of phantom anxiety that I just can’t put a finger on.  Life is good, but I feel antsy, anxious and testy – ya, I guess you can say I go insane. The prescription to my insanity is not an the form of a pill, but a daily dose of walking – so why aren’t I taking this wonder drug more often?

“But the walking of which I speak has nothing in it akin to taking exercise, as it is called, as the sick take medicine at stated hours – as the Swinging of dumb-bells or chairs; but is itself the enterprise and adventure of the day.”  HDT

Lexi found herself occupied by treeing a chattering red squirrel.  It still amuses me how alert and serious she becomes about our adventures.  In our near 3 mile walk, I had thought about the bane of my existance, the purpose of my life, what I needed to get at the store, and what work was awaiting for me when I returned.  Again, Thoreau’s words came back to me “The thought of some work will run in my head and I am not where my body is – I am out of my senses.  In my walks I would fain return to my senses.  What business have I in the woods, if I am thinking of something out of the woods?”

Return to the woods Cilly…. go back to your senses.

All the solutions to my life’s “so-called” problems came rushing to me …. while I took a walk … with Lexi.

Go – talk a hike Trail Blazers – go back to your senses.

Until Then, Hit the Heights!
Priscilla Hansen Mahoney
The Natural Leadership and Business Guide

Follow Priscilla Hansen Mahoney:

Business Leadership Guide and Founder of Blazing Trails Coaching I help business owners and leaders grow healthy, sustainable, and resilient organizations. I help you train your leaders, manage your resources, and create time saving workflows that help you become the efficient, productive leader you were meant to be, and your business and family deserves.

  1. Josh & Monica Henderson

    Sounds like I need to go on a walk! We were just talking about this today actually – how to regain joy throughout the day of routine. Thank you for sharing this! Now… to find some woods in Florida… I think I need to move to the mountains 😉

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