Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Walking on sunshine


Starvation Creek Falls, Columbia Gorge, OR photo by Bryan Swan


I just got back from a walk in the glorious sunshine today and I literally felt myself sipping in sunshine along the path. I had a smile on my face and a tune in my heart. The runners and joggers so intently focused, passed me by and I was so happy for them to be pursuing their path as I gently plodded along on my own. I stopped on a wooden bridge to watch water trickling down a small stream and enjoyed a short meditation on the following writing that I read aloud to my yoga classes last night:

Be soft in your practice. Think of the method as a fine silvery stream, not a raging waterfall. Follow the stream, have faith in its course. It will go its own way, meandering here, trickling there. It will find the grooves, the cracks, the crevices. Just follow it. Never let it out of your sight. It will take you.

Shen-yen
(b. 1931)

I remember starting the walk with such intent and purpose. I wanted to exercise my heart and regain fitness. But at some point my focus changed and I just wanted to be a part of the stream. Meandering here and trickling there. I allowed myself to mindfully float back down the path and the walk became so much more to me than exercise. It became an affirmation of joy and good health. Surely that is good for my heart too, don't you think?

I hope you take a few minutes today to allow yourself to explore the grooves, cracks, and crevices of your own life and like the stream, just follow it. It will take you where you need to go.

Sunny love,

Jan

10 comments:

gypsy-heart said...

As your site opened I could feel the good energies here.

I liked everything about your post..from the title down to the last sage paragraph.
I'll be back to visit. :)

Good energies and peace of heart to you,

~gypsy-heart

Ps I really must get back to my yoga and meditation. Maybe coming here will remind me how important and wonderful it is! I need to just view it like sleep or meals..it is necessary for balance.

Jan Holt said...

Thanks gypsy-heart. Nothing makes me happier than thinking I am helping people in some way. I'll be visiting you soon too!

Warmest wishes of peace to you as well,

Jan

Laura Nelkin said...

Ohhh, the moss and green are scrumptious!

Deanna said...

Thank you for a peaceful start to my day.

Visit Wrights Lane said...

Jan:
The last time I went up a creek I lost my paddle. The reality of coming back against the current was extremely harsh. David may know whereof I speak. The moral of this story: Never get so engrossed in fantasy that you separate yourself from your paddle.

Jan Holt said...

Dick,

I am so often up a creek without a paddle I don't know any other way of being! Thanks for the reminder though that sometimes navigating the stream of life can be hard work.

Best regards,

Jan

Counselormama said...

I love the way you write, makes me feel calm after reading. :) Thanks for stopping by!

The Joynes Girls said...

*sigh* Love this. Reminds me why my husband and I dream of moving away from the city and to places like... Oregon! This was visual candy... thank you!

Mozi Esme said...

Sweet thoughts!

Kelly Deneen Raymond said...

I needed to read this post. So wonderful. :)

Thanks for stopping by my blog!