I have recently been reminded of the quote “ Physician, heal thyself…” (Luke 4:23) as I found myself struggling due to a stressful situation that I am in. My first reaction was to fall back into all formed and very comfortable habits – for me that is stress eating, and, if I am honest, I have done some of that. However, along with the very unhealthy route I have chosen some healthier options. The first discussed in my blog 'It only takes a minute' and the second another resilience building technique that is, movement or exercise. I, however, decided to combine ‘mindfulness’ with movement, and went for a walk.
The day was clear and I chose a path that was tree-lined and quiet and, there, I decided to fully immerse myself in my surroundings. I started by truly experiencing the ground beneath my feet. I was wearing quite thin-soled shoes (I know not ideal for walking) and took the time to simply feel the ground. The occasional rise and fall of the tarmacked path, the cracks that had formed from years of heat and cold beating upon the now charcoal grey walkway. My criss-crossed steps as I Avoided the conkers that lay on the ground and the one I accidently stepped on, which sent a brief but sharp pain though my sole. The soft cushioned steps and the uneven moist carpet-like sensation as I took a detour onto the grass.
The second sense I decided to get in touch with was sound, I could hear the breeze tickling the now red, orange and gold leaves in the trees and the occasional crunch of leaves underfoot, not crisp but a muted sound as if the leaves weren’t quite ready to relinquish their lofty branches and were there, on the ground, in protest of their hasty removal from on high. The birds were singing (yeah I know - but this was no Cinderella moment) some of the birdsong was shrill and a little harsh almost as if the birds were demanding my attention. The softer hum of a plane overhead and the burr of traffic in the distance muted by the trees and houses that stood between the road and myself.
I decided that today was not a day for sight as I recognise that it is the sense that I over-rely on; as you may have noticed it had crept into the other senses that I was paying attention to in my mindfulness moment and throughout it all I simply breathed!
I cannot pretend that this solved all my problems; the walk was slow and thoughtful or should I say mindful. I walked for about 30minutes, not a particularly long time but in that time I didn’t think about the issue that I was facing. I gave my brain a little time off to relax, repair and simply experience my surroundings and when I went home I felt a little more energised. I had taken time away, not to escape, but to allow myself the gift of peace – just for a little while in order for me to be able to be better equipped at dealing with an issue that I am so close to that I could not longer be objective. I took a little time to practice what I have been preaching and you know what … It helped….
