Walks are a great way to start the day.
My friend Mary and I meet up around 7:30 a.m. and head out for a good three-mile walk. We take our phones with us, too — but we use them as cameras and look for what we call “a little bit of pretty.” Today’s blog post image? That was taken on a recent walk with Mary. On that particular morning, our friend Jeanne joined us.
By the time I’m back home, I’m ready to start my day. I’ve cleared my head of things that are weighing me down. I’ve laughed — oh, yes, there’s always laughter during the morning walks. We’ve begun praying, too, about particular concerns close to our hearts. And we always end our walks the same way: we look at each other and say:
This is the day the LORD has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)
So I have to agree with Hippocrates: walking is some of the best medicine. It’s not found in a bottle. You don’t need a prescription — but the refills are limitless. Walking is good for your body, your mind, and your spirit.
In Your Words: When have you found walking to be good medicine? How would you complete this sentence: _______________ is man’s best medicine.
[Tweet “”Walking is man’s best medicine.” #lifequotes #Hippocrates”] [Tweet “Take Your Medicine & Go for a Walk #lifequotes”]
You’re invited! Want to help me plan Bellamy’s wedding for my novella, Can’t Buy Me Love? The novella releases next May and I’m writing it this month. Visit this blog post for more details.
[Tweet “Help @bethvogt plan the the destination #wedding for her 2015 novella Can’t Buy Me Love! http://buff.ly/1yILPmX #Pinterest”]
Comments 18
Walking with man’s best friend is man’s best medicine too. Ha. I walk every morning on the trails where we live with my doodle dog. She is pacing right now waiting for me to go. She loves it too. I know exactly what you mean about photographing pretties. Every season, each day there is something different to shoot. I LOvE my walks because it gives me time to appreciate God’s canvas and quiet time to pray.
I love your idea of getting help to plan the wedding in your book too! Very creative.
Author
Walking with doggies is so fun … it is a whole other kind of walk, though. They love it … but it isn’t relaxing when you have two rambunctious dogs trying to be the leader of the pack, so to speak. 😉
That’s a wonderful start to your day, so glad for you. May you be blessed and refreshed every time you do it, and can’t help wishing I lived closer.
Author
Recallng a few walks we’ve shared, Dee — good memories. 🙂
I’m glad you have such a pleasant way to start the day. It sounds lovely.
When dealing with PTSD, walking is not necessarily a good thing – it leads to too much “thinking time”, and that is to be avoided like the plague. Thought kills, unless it’s bent to one’s will and purpose.
For me, a heavy schedule of duty seems to be the best medicine. It keeps my mind focused on the present,, and allows me to use my remaining energy for a broader benefit than if used for my own interests (that outward involvement is also better for mental health).
Author
So I’m wondering if working on building your airplane is good medicine for you, Andrew. Is that a form of bending thought to your will and purpose?
Good question, and the answer is – sometimes the airplane’s good therapy, sometimes not.
Focused manual work that demands skill is interesting in that somehow it allows a compartmentalization and simultaneity of thought function – I find that there’s a part of my brain that can become contemplative when I work, and that’s not a good thing.
On the other hand, it is possible to attain a Zen state best described as ‘awareness of emptiness’, but that’s less common. It’s easier to get there from straight meditation, and it’s much healthier.
The best thing to be said about that kind of work is that it’s something ‘good to have done’; even when physical limitations proscribe more than 15-30 minutes, it’s still a small victory over adversity.
I loooove walks with friends. And laughter…laughter is definitely one of man’s best medicines. 🙂
Melissa, you stole mine! 😉
i LOVE this! Especially ending your walk speaking God’s word over each other. I think I’m going to steal this idea…now to make my BFF move closer…:)
Author
Ending the walk with that verse is one way we encourage one another — it is our rallying cry! 🙂
Morning walks with you ladies is addicting! 🙂 So much fun and sharing. And definitely laughing. 🙂
Since Melissa stole my answer for the sentence, I’ll add, “A bear hug from a loved one is man’s best medicine.”
Author
I do believe bear hugs are healing and life-giving too!
Yeah, beer hugs are grand. I prefer Foster’s, myself.
Beth, that picture certainly is a little bit of pretty. More like a lot. I love your morning routine. Laughter and friendship and prayer… Does it get any better?
I’ve always believed laughter is the best medicine. It’s always made me feel better, anyway.
Hugs,
Andrea
I used to walk every day with friends, but bad knees on my part and illness on the part of the friends ended that exercise. Now I do water aerobics with 3 lovely ladies. And sometimes we do more laughing than exercising. 🙂
I used to love walking and did it almost every day for 30 years, but stopped about two years ago. Happy to say I’ve recently started back. It sure does make a difference in attitude and gratitude.
Pingback: Beth K. Vogt | In Others’ Words: Take Your Medicine | Walking For Health