No Running Allowed

My parents live in a forest on a hill overlooking a lake. When I visit them I run around their lake each day.  It’s always beautiful and different every single lap.

But, this visit I can’t run around their lake because I woke up with a nasty head & chest cold the first morning we were here.

I have to get some motion in or I am afraid all of the giant meals and sitting around will cause me to balloon up too big to fit into our van to go home.

So, I’ve been walking around their lake.  At first, as I’m super type A, moving so slowly irritated me.  After all, why should I spend more than an hour doing something I could easily do in half that time? Irritating!

Then, I noticed something.

It’s a whole different place when I’m walking slowly through the trees.  I’m quieter, so I hear more.  Moving slower lets me see more, as I have time to look around thoroughly.  Wildlife that’s usually startled away by my dashing through their neighborhood doesn’t seem to mind when I walk quietly past them.

When I run the sweat and the focus and the exhaustion push the stress out of my body.

But, I’m glad I can’t run this time.

This trip I have found that even though I’m not moving fast enough to force the stress out of my body, I can lull it to sleep while I stroll through the woods and leave it happily behind next to a moss covered boulder or a flock of wild turkeys.

My quieted state of mind reminds me of my verse, Peace.

Photo courtesy of Stock.xchng – Used with permission

Peace

Trouble flown

Breath savored

Thoughts quell

Harmony sings

Hush spreads

Calm flows

Tranquil grace

Beautiful still

-gina valley

Are you moving fast, slow, or in between this week?  Does life have to force you to slow down sometimes?  Do you notice things you were missing before?  Shoot me a comment.  I’m looking forward to hearing all about it.