Creative Strolling Wonders

I had the opportunity to work from home earlier this week. I was excited to wake up from my slumber early to walk 5 miles around the national mall as my replacement of commuting to work. I'm at that point during the half marathon training where there is only 2 weeks to go...and fitting in daily walks accumulating to an 1 hour up to 3 hours is beginning to feel daunting and exhausting.

But as soon as I hit the ground with my walking shoes, a smile came over me because I remembered these walks have become a part of my creative practice, a part of my self care, an opportunity to get out of my to-do list and do something I enjoy doing, observing nature, people, being in the sun ... and listening to podcasts (walking is practically my only time i have to do this).

It is often during these walks, ideas for future blog posts arise, a resolution to a problem at work arises naturally, long-term goals appear vividly, It's the space created between each step that continues to draw me to get my feet to the ground (similar to meditation really).

Some of my favorite creative strolling wonders from this past week (not in any particular order):

Squirrels ~ as my husband says, they are nature's crackheads; but they seem to have so much fun this time of year, nibbling on nuts, being inquisitive and chasing each other around up and down the trees. Naturally encourages a smile.

A cute squirrel nibbling on a nut

Podcasts ~ Kimberly Wilson's Tranquility Du Jour Podcast is my favorite.  This week I listened to podcasts to two (each Sunday through the summer she will be coming out with a new podcast)

1) Personal Branding w Robin Roffer ~ My biggest take-a-way was to identify values in life and to actually live them...during my walk I came up with the following, but I'd to explore this a bit more.

Health (Self Care)

Family

Work ( Day job & Teaching Yoga)

Play

2) Yoga & Balance ~ Not only as yoga relates to balance on the mat, but also off the mat from the exercises we choose to do, the food we eat, our relationships ~ 2 simple words, but leaves HUGE questions to think about in one's life.

Flowers ~ you may have noticed from this blog I have a bit of an obsession with taking pictures of beautiful flowers and trees. Although I grew up with both of my grandmothers loving to garden and have beautiful flowers surrounding them, I never got the bug or the green thumb. (Not saying I do have it now...but I'm fully appreciating their awe and wonder and loving to be in a city with so many opportunities to see a variety of flowers).

Butterfly Habitat ~ A cute secret walkway that you would almost miss, along the mall funded by the Smithsonian, you can find it in between the national history museum and the sculpture garden connecting you from the mall to Pennsylvania ave. A serene place to find yourself on a stroll.

Iphone ~ I know this seems dangerous, but as I am walking, it is nice to have a utensil to write something down with when it comes to me. So when an idea pops into my head, I just shoot myself an email as a reminder so I don't forget it.

My Husband ~ I was able to convince him to join me for my long walk on Sunday, as long as we ended at the Dupont circle farmers market....which was a great idea. So we walked and talked, although 7 miles is a long time, so its sometimes nice to just walk in silence knowing he's right next me. It was an opportunity for us to catch up after a long week, smile, laugh, discuss, strategize ....and then shop for some yummy food.

 

I hope this provides you with some insight to hit the pavement for your own creative strolls. I'd love for you to come back and let me know what you creative wonders arose for you.