There’s a protected natural wildlife area near my work that, for a number of years, I would drive by with hardly a notice. Our city has set aside many such areas, forging nice trails throughout for those who wish to avoid Starbucks, traffic lights, and all other facets of modern society—instead drinking in the beauty of nature.
During these years, I often found myself overwhelmed and frustrated by situations at work, and would drag these things around with me—often times they’d follow me home, fitting so easily through my front door instead of being left outside where they belong. I was working through my lunch breaks, or barely taking time to rush to a sandwich shop and inhale my food before I had to rush back to work. It was draining.
On many occasions, my wife (who is one of the most intelligent and rational people I know) would suggest that I get out of the office and explore those trails. “Just go take a walk—you’ll feel better,” she’d say. And, like most thick-headed men, I didn’t listen. Frustrations grew, tensions built, and my health and well-being were feeling the impact.
One day—a particularly frustrating day—I heard a voice in my head saying, “Aren’t you tired of this? You seem tired. Come spend time with me. Let’s go for a walk.” So I left.
The trail is beautiful. The trees smell incredible. The flowers and grasses are uniquely fascinating. The breeze is calming. The songs of many different birds are symphonic. The conversation is a treasure.
I found a branch that I carved into a walking stick. I shed my socks and shoes, rolled up my pant legs, and waded out into the middle of the cool river. I marveled in the fact the only sounds I heard were beautifully organic and not noisy mechanically manmade. I returned to work with a deep sense of calm, peace and centeredness. My wife is smart.
I continue to take what I call “walkabouts” as often as I possibly can. This is sacred time for me where I escape the matrix of the manmade and spend time with my friend, God. Just as we need food for our bodies, and food for our minds, we need food for our souls if we want to have any sort of peace and happiness in this life.
Chances are, you may not share the same faith, or even have a faith at all. That isn’t the point I am trying to make.
Just creating time—choosing to make the time—to go on your own personal walkabout will make such a huge difference in the orientation of your heart and mind. For me, as I grow in my Christian faith, I use this time to pour my heart out to God, giving thanks for all the large, small, unseen and undeserved things I have been afforded in my life. I find great joy in walking with my God and letting Him know how much I love His artistry and handiwork.
This is my time. Yours may look differently.
It may not be through a nature trail, or it may not even involve walking at all (though it is great exercise and it sounds better than sitabout), but purposefully choosing to unplug and feed your soul is essential in gaining perspective and purpose.
Choose to create time to breathe deeply—no excuses that your schedule is too busy; you can prioritize and purposefully make time. Find your space to unwind, to get to know yourself, to appreciate the smaller things that get swallowed up in the noisiness of our our day-to-day. Disconnect from distractions so that you can reconnect with what’s important. Walkabout.
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