It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
All of our past posts have been placed HERE if you want to go back and read one.
Many of you know that I like to walk. I like to walk alot!
Today I want to tell you why I walk.
A couple of years ago, I was convicted about my health. I had 2 friends pass away in a short period of time, and the wake up call I received was simply that I needed to take better care of myself. I began on a journey of health, nutrition and fitness, but I kept hitting the wall. I travel for a living, and I would do great while I was home and able to manage a routine, but on the road, everything went out the window as I fought time zone affects, hotels and long hours on the plane and I consistently made bad choices in what I ate. It's an ongoing battle, but I finally decided to do ONE THING and do it well. The thing I chose was something that I could control.
I walk.
I started 3 years ago with the 10,000 steps a day challenge. I did that for the first year, everyday.
In 2016 I averaged 11,163 steps a day.
In 2017 I averaged 11,542 steps a day.
In 2018 I averaged 12,230 steps a day.
In 2019 I averaged 12,878 steps a day or just about 6 1/2 miles.
One thing that I could control, that I can do anyplace at anytime. Many of you have been with me when I take off on one of my crazy late-night walks, but it's become a discipline.
This isn't my entire fitness program, but it's the one consistent thing I've been able to do.
Today, as I walked, I thought about the benefits to me of walking, here's what I learned:
WHEN I WALK....
- I can choose to be challenged by some great PODCASTS. I've listened to some great teaching, training, messages and inspiration. It's a great time to learn!
- I can choose to simply PRAY as I walk, working through my list
- I can choose to THINK. It's some much needed SPACE and I can think through ideas, process challenges, dream and contemplate.
- I can choose to WORSHIP. Either through music, through the beauty around me or through the silence.
- I can choose to ROCK. My go-to is classic rock, and right now I'm listening to rock ballads from the 70's and 80's. There's nothing better!
- When Gina is with me, I get to hold her hand and engage in conversation.
It's MOVEMENT.
It's RENEWING.
It's a DISCIPLINE.
It's my TIME. So much gets accomplished on these walks.
It's ONE THING that I've stuck with and that I've worked into the crazy rhythm of my life.
I now rely on this time. I don't like to miss it. I am a better person when I walk.
So the next time we're together and I slip out the back of the room for something and don't come back for 30 minutes, you'll know why. I've walked the streets of cities all over the world at all times of the day.
I have other things that guide and drive my life.
What is one of your One Things? How are you doing with that today?
"Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far." Thomas Jefferson"
Paths are made by walking." Franz Kafka"
Just a closer walk with Thee Grant it, Jesus, is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee Let it be, dear Lord, let it be" Unknown