The Life-Changing Magic of Doing What Serves You
Photo by Mike Brenna
More than ten years ago I noticed that when getting upset, angry, or bored with what was going on in my home life, I’d run to my closet, grab and lace up my tennis shoes or hiking boots, rush down two flights of stairs. . . praying no one would stop or slow my path to the front door.
Once I made it to the door, I’d rush to the sidewalk or street and up the beautiful incline among the tree-lined streets and houses. I’d walk up and down hills, winding streets and through the parks until I couldn’t walk anymore. Then I’d return home.
Sometimes my best friend Barkley, my dog, would be in tow.
These walks could last for hours. Upon my return to the house, I’d be lifted, refreshed, and in the best mood. Weeks would pass, until the next upset. Then I’d hit the streets again.
Recently I decided that I had to resume this walking meditation, hiking thing. So it became a practice rather than a fly by night escape. I became aware (yes, these days ‘aware” is my favorite action word) of how calmer and clearer I felt after I’d been in nature, scaled hills, challenged myself, and inhaled nature’s abundance and beauty.
Soon after this realization, I also observed how well I responded to writing my thoughts down— just as I had done as a tween and teenager. So I started a journaling practice, another way to declutter my mind. Journaling freed my mind and helped to organize my thoughts. Consequently, I became more productive in my personal and professional life.
As a reader, I turned away from novels, mysteries, poetry and fiction and instead started reading self-help books that worked to increase my awareness, understanding and knowledge of myself in mind, body, and spirit. I even read books and magazines about geography, floral design, therapeutic treatments, African culture, travel and culinary techniques. I expanded my knowledge about coding, UX Research, film, photography and social media too. All this reading and studying took me around the world to some pretty delightful spaces and places. Not surprisingly, I found myself dreaming about new possibilities!
Why am I telling you all this? I’m so glad you asked! Well, I’m inviting you—if you’re not already doing them— to take up the practice of:
Walking and hiking
Meditation and prayer
Journaling, drawing, painting, writing, i.e, creating
Or reading
If you have time and space for all of them, it would be great! Put them on your calendar. See if you can do them for at least 21 days; that is, endeavor to make them a practice. Because once we get in the habit of doing anything that benefits us, we’ll start to feel out of sorts when we stop—which is a good thing because that out of sort feeling is but a nudge from your higher, wiser, self-loving self to get back to what serves you.
There is a saying amongst us coaches, ‘Practice makes progress.’ Ok, let’s get at it!
Me in a park, loving the green space
READING RETREAT - A Book Club
Reading Retreat is Wellside’s virtual book club. Each month a book will be read then discussed usually on the last Saturday of the month (subject to change) through our comfy Zoom Room. The book selection is eclectic and will include independent, accomplished and even not-so-well known authors. It’s a practice.
There is no cost, it’s free! The only expense is purchasing your book, purchase your book through my Amazon affiliate link: Vibrate Higher Daily: Live Your Power
August’s book selection is:
Vibrate Higher Daily: Live Your Power by Lalah Delia spiritual writer & self help pioneer
Discussion: August 28th at 7:00 p.m. EST/ 4:00 p.m. PST
Register below to receive the Zoom discussion link.
Be Well
~Kathy