A place to rest....

I love to walk. It really doesn't matter where. It doesn't always matter when. And sometimes, it doesn't matter for how long. What matters is that I am walking! I was an avid walker. It started when I was diagnosed with Osteopenia in 2003. While I started a regime of calcium and vitamin d my doctor advised me to walk. So walk I did! And I became addicted. Walking provided me with so many opportunities, a chance to breathe in the fresh air, admire changing scenery, clear my head, listen to music, think of my next hub or engage in meaningful conversation with a walking partner.... In the past year, my walking took on another meaning as I decided to lose weight and get fit. I began power walking, not forsaking the mental health benefits that I gained from my strolls. I walked daily. Some days I walked 5 miles, others, just one mile but I walked just about everyday. Four months ago, I broke my foot and the walking stopped. It was as if someone turned out the lights. I wrote this poem on my first day back to one of my favorite places to walk. I hobbled along on my boot and felt my worries fly away.

I have a place I like to go. It's my special place, I hope you know.

It doesn't matter what the weather may bring. I go in the winter, summer and spring.

I go to breathe easy and clear my head... of all the millions of business that resides there instead

There's a pureness and simplicity that I so often crave. There's slow rippling water more gentle than a wave.

Each week when I get there, I explore a new way. Each path that I take, like a new bright, fresh day.

If there is time, I stop and I rest. Under a tree, beside a brook, hearing birds sing is the best.

It does my heart good to be out in the air. For that hour or two I have barely a care.

When I make my way slowly back to my car, I always realize that I really have come quite far.

The time that I spend when I am walking, helps me give thought before I start talking

It affords me the grace to act with more care, and as a mother, I am definitely more fair.

It gives me the energy to be on the go, to handle a family and job, as if I know

just what I'm doing, even when I am afraid. Because under those trees, great plans are made.

Plans so big and definite and clear. Plans that include all I hold dear.

This is the place that realizes my dreams. This is where I run to when I am falling apart at the seams.

This is my serenity, my sanity, my quiet and my peace. It clears my mind, restores my faith and adds to my life a new lease.

to restore my faith

I walk I sing and I love

basking in the sun

There is so much more

Then just sedentary sitting

You can walk, run, breathe

A Butterfly Garden This is a beautiful, special part of one of my walks.

Also, while this area is just a walk and doesn't require any effort, you can read my Arizona Hiking Books review here for the bigger, more strenuous hikes.

Recently, I have found myself unhappy, uncomfortable and most definitely not centered. Each time I tried to start an exercise routine or other projects around the house, I was apathetic and couldn't get them going. There was always an excuse and always tomorrow. I have gained weight, become more distracted, stopped writing and can't focus on reading as much anymore. My osteopenia, that was gone in 2011, has returned and my general health is lagging.

I realized that the broken foot was the start of my demise. Add to that major surgery and life upheaval and I completely stopped my typical routine. I can't even tell you when I last went to my "happy place."

I am not adding this section for you to feel bad about me. I simply want to remind you that it is important to find and try to hold onto what helps us to feel grounded. If you have momentarily lost it, just go back out and find it! Keep in mind, that your happy place may change from time to time. The message here is continue to look for and go with what centers you and makes you feel focused.

I am very fortunate to live in a place that has so many beautiful parks, mountains and trails. If you yare looking for a nice place to walk, You can choose according to level, proximity or scenery. Most of the areas are diverse, so if you have a group of people at various levels of difficulty, you can choose accordingly. But, if you are looking for a place that makes you feel better by being in it, that is completely subjective. Here are some ideas to help you determine if you have found your happy place:

• Do you breathe easier here?
• Does your mood lift or allow you to be introspective?
• Do you have more ideas or feel more able to make plans/decisions?
• Do you want to return there?

Please keep in mind that my happy place is walking outside. Yours may be sitting on your bedlistening to music or working out at the gym. It can be any number of things from writing in a journal to rescuing animals. The important thing is to find what centers you, what makes you feel content and to make sure that you do it as often as you can.