Friday, July 17, 2009

Exploring New Paths

The other day I took my first walk around my new homestead. Being an avid walker, and a creature of habit, I was intrigued and mildly concerned during this reconnaissance mission. Why, you ask? Because I am programmed to take a half-hour walk every day. I don’t feel right whenever I miss my walk, have a tendency to gain some unwanted pounds when my feet aren’t traversing pavement, dirt, gravel, and path. But most of all, I LOVE walking because of how it clears my head, soothes my soul, and exercises my body.

So, why the concern, then? It all goes back to my recent move. One of the paradoxes of moving is sacrificing one comfort with the hopes of discovering something even better. While we used to live in a wonderful home and nice neighborhood, and were comfortable and established there, the desire for a change, especially (and hopefully) for the better, outweighed our need to stay. One of the things that moving disrupted were some established routines, like my daily walking ritual. Or better put: the move changed my walking path.

I knew when we bought this new home that I was going to have to establish new routines, which, in its own way, is both a good thing and a not so good thing…another paradox, if you will. Again, why is this? Because while routines offer comfort and familiarity, they can also become stale and mundane. The solution is to seek balance between the dull and ordinary and new and unknown. Leading me to:

EXPLORING NEW PATHS



Several days have passed since I recorded that video and since that time I have been able to establish a semblance of a walking routine that I am getting used to and becoming happy with. But exploring new paths isn’t just about discovering a new place to take my daily walks. It is about stretching yourself, embracing change, seeking new challenges, and, always, living your life every day in every way.

Sometimes we need to make changes in our lives, our routines, to shake up the same old/same old. And other times bigger changes are a necessary result of carefully planned actions. Either way, they are forms of self-growth, which is essential if your goal, like mine, is to become a more complete person.

I hope you enjoy all of your new explorations and find health, happiness, and growth for your mind, body, and spirit.

Until next time…

peace,

Mike

12 comments:

Paul Eilers said...

Mike,

More and more, I prefer walking (as well as bike riding) as my way of getting daily exercise. I also do a few body weight exercises, such as push-ups.

I'm glad you and your wife are settled in your new home (any more boxes?) The scenery is nice!

So how far from the coast are you now? I wondered since so many of your pictures have the ocean in the background.

Have a great weekend!

Paul

Rod said...

Hey Mike my uncle lives on a hill as well and he's extra careful during fire season, which is right now. Look into some helpful tips regarding certain guidelines for building, designing and landscaping around your house so you can help make it more fire proof. Enjoy your walks, peace.

Unknown said...

paul: funny, but the coast is still over four hours away...i just like that photo...thanks for stopping by, i need to get back into visiting sites again...been a long grind with this move...

rod: thanks for the head's up; we are learning all about making this place as fireproof as possible...


peace,

mike

kRiZcPEc said...

to leave the comfort zone behind and become a bigger, stronger, better Mike, huh? Like the idea, no courage to do for now, though.

kRiZcPEc said...

oops, I mean I've no courage to leap from the comfort zone for now.

Dori said...

I love this post. As you said, life is about exploring. I wish you all the best as you settle into your new home. Enjoy your new path Mike :)

Sagan said...

I also feel really strange if I don't get in at least half an hour of walking each day. Exploration is so much fun!

Unknown said...

kriz: sometimes ya just gotta close your eyes and leap in with both feet...so far, so good...

dori: that path is sometimes steep, but well worth the effort...

sagan: walking is a passion and necessity, and discovering new places to walk, or just enjoying old ones, keeps me going...


peace,

mike

Cascia Talbert said...

Enjoy your new home!

betchai said...

i love walking too, it is my primary form of exercise all year :) i combine it with other exercises to stay fit.

hope you enjoy your walks in your new neighborhood.

Unknown said...

cascia: thanks, i am!

betchai: i love my walks and miss them when i miss them...


peace,

mike

Robin Easton said...

Geez mike, we really are in a similar place. This whole thing of stretching our comfort zone and exploring new paths. I really relate to that lately. I love this video and getting to see your place and where you are walking. This is so inspiring for me and where I'm at the moment. I just love the the spontaneity of your videos. This one is VERY spontaneous and so delightful. I feel honored watching this because it just so dang GENUINE.

Also, it's much steeper than it at first looks. I could really see it when you were headed back up the hill. You just seem so happy there. The whole thing was very inspiring for me. In fact, even though it's raining here I may put on my raincoat and go for walk across the desert in the rain.

Thanks for sharing all this mike; it makes you more real to your readers in the most fun way.

Peace to you my spontaneous friend. Robin