Peace and Tranquility Step by Step
This Monday morning I woke up and I was not thrilled with the weather at all. The prevailing grey skies and dampness were not making me want to go out and walk. I decided to make the most of it, be positive, and headed out for a hike despite the weather.
It had turned out to be a great morning to walk along the shoreline of Lake Ontario. My start was slow, but once I got going, I became totally absorbed in my immediate surroundings. This is what happens every day when I go hiking. I get totally absorbed in being outside and discovering my environment. I don’t know how or why this happens when I am walking, but I get so energized by the calmness of the walk. I usually prefer the days I walk alone too. Don’t get me wrong, walking with others is great, but I don’t get that same feeling as when I go at it alone. Some days the lone time is what I need.
I passed by some familiar scenery this morning. I went down to the lake and so enjoyed the rocky shore. I did this walk two days ago and decided not to re-take the same photos that I had previously taken. How many of the same photos can you have?
Something Didn’t Belong
I found this golf ball among the many rocks by the shore and laughed at just how out of place it was. In the end it isn’t very humorous because don’t we all feel out of place at times?
Driftwood’s Beauty
This piece of small driftwood reminded me of a bicycle seat. It was very delicate and beautiful. I spent much time looking at it again today.
The Texture of Rocks
These are not the easiest things to walk on as your footing gets a good challenge, but the colours and textures are stunning…for rocks!
Everyday when I walk, I never really know how far I will go. I don’t pick a distance, I just walk until I decide it is time to head home. I usually find myself restricted by time. I think some days I’d be gone for 5-6+ hours without even thinking about it.
Today I was thinking about how this love affair I have developed with hiking all started. I think it began as I was preparing for hiking El Camino. I hardly ever walked/hiked any distance at all before that. I actually didn’t really enjoy hiking. How funny is that?
In April 2015, I had decided to hike El Camino de Santiago (800 Km across Spain). ” Go Big or Go Home”! I chose to go very big. I am not sure what was drawing me to do it, but it was a very strong obsession that consumed me. I am a guy who had never really walked more than 10 Km per month before booking that trip, never mind 15 – 20 Km per day over 35-40 days in a row. Once I make up my mind, it is made and failure is NOT an option!
The training I did last year to prepare was scary. I was unfit, stressed out, recovering from knee surgery, and had a torn disc in my back. Those were PERFECT body conditions to hike 800 Km!
One year later, I find myself walking great distances as often as I can. I have NO back or knee pain, I am down at least 9 Kg (20 pounds), and I am also at the gym 2-3 days per week. The best part of it is that I am not stressed. My mind is clear and I enjoy taking photos as I walk, no matter where I am doing it. Hikingdan is a totally different man all due to hiking El Camino! I find myself feeling like I did when I was gym fit and athletic ( which was most of my life except for th last 5 years).
Today ended up being the best day ever. The funk I woke up with was gone after my hike…10Km. My mind was at peace, my energy was high ( I even hit the gym afterwards), and I was so appreciative to live in such a great place full of trails and scenic beauty. One thing I learned was that grey is a beautiful colour too. You just have to get out and experience it.
Keep Walking!
