Being in nature is healing medicine for whatever may be troubling your mind — I’m convinced of that. This is what ran through my mind as I took Kylie and Gidget walking in the small woods near our home yesterday.
It really is like a walking meditation soaking in the crisp air, hearing the crunch of leaves below my feet and their paws, and the many smells that float on the wind.
I try to get the girls out for a walk around mid-day as often as possible because I know it is good for them. But how often I’m reminded it is just as good for me.
Just being with these two beings who don’t have an agenda, but to walk with me and enjoy the outdoors, is such a calming meditation. The spirits of animals that help you to slow down. Take in what is important and weave it into our days filled with many to-do’s.
These walks with my two favorite creatures is a gift. A gift of the here and now. A reminder to stay open to their wisdom as a guide to how I wish to live my life.
These four paws, two snouts, and deeply soulful eyes ground me time and time again.
REMINDER: I’m giving away a copy of Jon Katz’s new book, “Saving Simon: How a Donkey Taught Me the Meaning of Compassion.” All you have to do to be eligible is leave a comment by midnight cst on yesterdays blog post here. I’ll be picking a winner Thursday using random.org (US residents only).