Walk with gratitude
Today is a milestone. This is the tenth GreenNote Fitness Newsletter! It has made me think back to the beginning newsletter and not needing to be perfect; just begin. This reflection process has inspired me to write on a topic I touched upon in “Living with Gratitude”.
In that newsletter I wrote of the importance of being grateful and one way of keeping it present in our lives is to keep a daily gratitude journal. Now I’m going to delve a little bit deeper and provide some other suggestions that you can easily incorporate into your life. It’s just finding the path that works best for you.
Let’s take a walk.
This morning I went for an early walk in the gently falling snow. It was quite beautiful and peaceful and got me jazzed to share with you what it does for me.
At least once or twice a week (more in warmer months) I enjoy taking a walk outside. I can see nature in action. It gives me time to think only of being outdoors, unplugged, and away from distractions. It clears my head and fills my heart. I’m aware of my pace, my breathing, how I’m feeling. It often brings creativity, clarity, and ideas that I think will be helpful for your lives. It also makes me feel very grateful for everyone in my life.
To have that feeling when I go for a walk outdoors makes me extremely happy and grateful. It gives my head a little space, a little room to focus on what’s important to me. I can then bring that feeling with me when I’m working with clients, being with family and friends, or when I’m at the grocery store or running errands. By taking care of myself I can be more helpful and understanding of others.
Imagine.
What if everyone took care of themselves? What if everyone you know and everyone you ever come in contact felt grateful? Do you think you would have a different experience with that person? Would that carry on to the next person you interacted with?
We often don’t take the time. In some cases, we may even feel that we don’t “deserve” to take care of ourselves because other people need us. Work needs us. Our children need us. Our ailing parents need us.
We need each other.
If getting up a little earlier doesn’t appeal to you try something that does. Spend a couple of minutes of your lunch-hour in a conference room where you can take a few deep breaths or meditate. You could also sit in a church or at a library where it is quite. Take a walk in the park. Make time and create a little space in your head. Don’t look at emails or talk on your cell phone or look at your tablet. Just be. Create some space. Take some time for you.
Walk with gratitude.
I’m grateful for being able to share my thoughts with you. If I can help you in any way, let me know. If you are finding any of these newsletters helpful, please leave me a comment on my Facebook page.
To your journey,
Lisa Schaffer
GreenNote Fitness
