Wonder Walks

“Wonder Walks”

Amidst of the challenges of everyday life, there exists a simple remedy: wonder walks. For me, these walks are more than being outside or moving; they help me find light in moments of darkness.

When the world gets to be too much for me, when doubts and worries cloud my mind, I put my shoes on and step outside. The simple act of putting one foot in front of the other triggers my mind to clear away the cobwebs and prepare for beauty.

I focus on the small things around me. I listen to the birds, cars, wind, feel the warmth generating from within, and breathe in the earthy scent of nature. As I walk, I search for beauty in the simplest of things – a blooming flower, a colorful bird, a ray of sunlight filtering through the trees, and most recently, I have become obsessed with a pile of sticks in the water.

While looking at things that typically go unnoticed, the noise of the outside world fades away, and I am filled with a sense of wonder and gratitude. Even when I am at my lowest when I am outside I discover that there is beauty to be found, if only I make and take the time to look for it.

My twenty minutes always pass in the blink of an eye, and by the time I am back home, I am a different person. The weight that once burdened me has lifted, replaced by a renewed sense of peace and clarity. Wonder walks have become my sanctuary, my refuge in times of need, guiding me back to myself when I feel lost or adrift. And for that, I am forever grateful.