Today I drove three blocks to drop off my car for an oil change. I love that my mechanic is literally right around the corner. I jogged ran home. I'm out of shape. Running made me feel like maybe I might die. My throat was all kinds of puling and tight, and I couldn't catch my breath. It was awesome.
I'm the first to admit that I am, by no means, a runner.
Hell, I'm barely even a walker.
But I walked back to get my car, and I was thinking while I walked, thinking in a way I don't think while I drive. I started to notice the smells, the sounds, the beauty of my little neighborhood. I think we lost that, somewhere...or, more accurately, lost our appreciation for that...or our ability to appreciate that...or something.
We drive everywhere. Other people are just in our way. We don't have the time to see and smell and hear while we're guiding our 1500lb. bullet wherever we've overbooked ourselves next.
Yes, this is a "stop and smell the roses" post.
But it's also about community.
When I got out and walked, I felt like a part of something bigger. The flowers in that old lady's yard are a part of my neighborhood. Those three barking dogs are a part of my neighborhood. The big, lush garden in that guy's backyard. My neighborhood. My community. And just by getting out and walking three blocks, I felt connected.
Take a walk tonight around your neighborhood. Wave at a neighbor. See. Hear. Smell. Feel connected.
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3 comments:
Hear, hear!
As someone who works from home and, as such, doesn't spend enough time socializing with other human beings, I fully support your call to get out into your community.
I take nice, leisurely walks around our neighborhood every other day, I'd guess, and it has such a positive effect on my brain, my mood, etc.
I keep meaning to turn those walks into jogs/runs, but it hasn't happened yet. Maybe someday soon :)
It's weird that there is something different between how we think when we're driving and how we think when walking, but it's true. Glad you had a nice walk.
I often walk to work and it is a real tonic in the mornings. I love looking into gardens (being, myself, the Angel of Death to plants) and seeing others' hard work. There is definitely something to be said for leaving the tin box at home when you can.
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