Forgiveness Walks

August 30,2024

“Strangers are friends I haven’t met yet.”

This is one of my mottos that gets affirmed every day. Today, it was in admiring the beauty of an adult sitting with a child, honoring her importance next to the park pond where I was walking.

It took a photo of them, walked around the pond, and shared it with him. He graciously accepted it and we talked, blending our adult conversation seamlessly with his granddaughter’s.

I left them with my motto, “Maybe we can be park friends! Strangers are friends I haven’t met yet!” read more

August 26,2024

Do I stay in bed scrolling through the stories “the algorithm” chose for me? Maybe going for a walk in my neighborhood park would be better. It is. It’s always better!

On my first step off the street into the woods, I breathe and sigh, “Yes! I’m here! Oh yes, this is my place to be!” Colors, sounds, myriad relationships in balance flood my senses.

Reaching the mowed grass paths, I shed my shoes, greeting with a silent gesture of thanks the woman who enticed me to walk barefoot by her own practice. I rejoice in gratitude for this space. Somehow it has been mowed without me having to hear the machines! read more

August 24,2024

As I walked contentedly in my neighborhood park this morning, the question arose, “How long do I want to stay out on a trail before going ‘home’?”

As I walked, I posted a reflection on FB, recorded a video of one question, and recorded a voice memo of another self-reflection. Walking in Nature is my happy place for exploring questions and reaching out to others. It’s also my happy place for my general overall happiness!

Would I stay out on a trail with no permanent place to return to? Do I simply want a modern dwelling next to a trail for daily walks? Are trails and parks separate worlds from a house? Would RV or van living suffice? read more

August 23,2024

“Part of mental training is getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. There will be days when you don’t want to hike, when it’s raining and your pack is heavy from resupply, and you have to keep going anyway.” The Trek

Every phrase in this statement begs questioning for me. I can’t remember if I thought this when I walked the Appalachian Trail – twice!

What does being comfortable with being uncomfortable mean???  One place this could be true is being comfortable with having wet feet. I remember a gradual shift in my acceptance of wet feet, wading through water with my shoes on, putting on wet shoes and socks in the morning, until that seemed normal. Now, I recognize being ok with wet shoes as a turning point from day hiker to long-distance hiker. read more

July 30,2024

I walked in my neighborhood park for a beautiful morning hour. Highlights were meeting two solo adventurers. One was a woman wearing a bulky backpack who revealed that she’s just starting to walk and might go on a trail. I told her about Taylorsville Metropark where the trail has good ups and downs. She made a note on her phone. I love connecting with women being called to walk! Just like you!!!

The other solo adventurer was a duckling! I’ve seen two families of ducks during the past month. Well on this day I saw a single duckling! I composed a Cinquaine to capture the essentials about this sighting: read more

July 29,2024

Well, that was interesting! I’m glad that I declared my intention to walk in Nature every day of July and expanded my range for a couple of days to walk a bit on Ohio’s Buckeye Trail.

This morning, I weighed whether to go back home or take another walk on the Buckeye Trail. I have a zoom meeting with my coaching group at 2 pm as well as the 2-hr drive.

I chose staying in the area! First, I did a little trail reconnaissance and located a library where I can get WiFi for my meeting. There’s one 15 minutes from the trailhead where I ended up yesterday. Having checked that out, grateful that I’m DRIVING for this part, I reached the trailhead about 10:15. I ate a leisurely breakfast by Stoney Creek, then started walking at 11 a m. I had two hours. read more

July 28,2024

I took a walk on the Buckeye Trail where I haven’t walked before! I drove about 100 miles from home to Scioto Trail State Park and parked at a campsite. From there, I walked about a mile down the road to a trailhead, walked 3.5 miles on the trail, then looped back on a paved backroad. It’s been awhile since I’ve walked an unfamiliar trail!

An Ohio woods, however, seems very familiar! Many happy memories of long walks, both on the Buckeye Trail and others, filled my mind and heart! Gratitude for all the blessings, privilege, and abundance that support me walking in beautiful woods guides my steps. read more

July 27,2024

Today’s walk was a refreshing and mentally stimulating one in my neighborhood park! As I stepped onto the path I was greeted by a hummingbird! They signify joy! I can open up to that!

I did feel joy when I noticed an old friend – the Moon! In its waning half phase, it is still rising in the morning.

I relished the cool air on my skin, having worn a sleeveless shirt for a change. Walking around the pond, I noticed Blue Heron standing in its usual spot on the treed side of the pond. Where was the duck family? I walked cautiously along the bank, in case they were hunkered down in the grasses. No sign of them there. Oh, there they were, out in the lily pads in the center of the pond! I made my way around, then inched closer to the trees hoping to get closer to the heron, hidden behind them. Just as it came into sight, off it flew. read more

July 26,2024

I needed to walk today with several situations in my life in which I believe I am powerless. That’s a running them with me. Time for The Thirteen Steps and being open to the idea that there’s a blessing in these situations. I’ll keep you posted!

Walking felt hopeful and that at least I was taking care of my body and my soul in a way that works!

Around the halfway point on the

 3-mile loop, I spotted a curious item on the path that I thought might be paper. On closer look, I concluded that it was a dragonfly wing! I took a photo to share. Curious Things on My Path soon turned into a theme and I’m sharing a collage of the ones I logged by camera. read more

July 25,2024

Sharing The Thirteen Steps to Radical Forgiveness process to nourish our Inner Journey.

The 13 Steps to Radical Forgiveness