What a Wonderful World
Walking Meditations:
Today I had the pleasure of talking a twenty minute walk to just clear my mind and think. Thankfully, I work for a company who values mental and physical well-being and allows employees to take breaks for these needs. I had an empty slot on my calendar this morning and the weather was absolutely perfect, so I took advantage of it.
As I walked along the greenway, pictured above, I couldn’t help but feel an immense sense of gratitude. Spring in East Tennessee can be absolutely gorgeous - and recently it has been. We’ve had nearly 21 days straight of blue skies and sunshine with temperatures in the 70-80 degree Fahrenheit range. Personally, I couldn’t ask for better weather.
The birds were singing. Lots of them. It’s a chorus of delight and thanksgiving all around me. Robins and blue jays and cardinals all crossed my path. One particularly large robin with a beautiful orange chest watched me as I walked by, gripping a worm in her beak. I imagine I must feel like a titan to her.
A beautiful yellow butterfly with black markings flitters around some wildflowers to my right, just at the edge of the creek. I watch it dutifully gathering pollen to carry elsewhere, helping the natural habitat thrive. How simple life must be for a creature that knows exactly what it’s supposed to do and does it.
The sun warms my skin, but does so gently. It’s only 9 in the morning, so the heat of the day hasn’t kicked in yet. I’m thankful. The feeling of the sun reminds me of how blessed I am - how safe and cared for. It calms my nerves and helps me be present and grounded in the moment, one of my daily goals.
I feel a cool gentle breeze and hear the rippling of the creek next to me. It’s crystal clear right now due to no rain for so long, but still flows strong. Though the water would be so very cold, it does have an appeal and I consider what it would feel like to just let the current carry me downstream, like one of the many leaves floating on its surface.
Twenty minutes feels both fast, but also full. Full of joy and real world experience. No phone (except to snap a quick photo early on). Just my thoughts and nature.
What a wonderful world.