I had just stepped inside after a morning walk in early July.  It was still cool while dawn was breaking over the Hill Country.

Also, it was quiet and had been a perfect time to walk and think without the noisy cars which would soon be buzzing past.

That particular walk was inspiring and refreshing.  Any troubling thoughts had evaporated with the morning dew.  In their place had stood a renewed sense of purpose – both about this blog endeavor, and other things.

I vividly remember a strong intention to write about that, and had begun doing so.

The theme was cursory at first – a discussion about keeping this very new (at the time) blog project focused on principles of service and true value adds.

Life became busy, things came up and unfortunately (or fortunately) I never got around to finishing that original post on that day (despite all the positive walk-inspired sentiments).

Now (December 18, 2016), after a few major life changes and a broadened perspective I’ll finally finish it.  Layers will be added, and that original post will be revamped.  The first and last part may seem a bit disjointed due to the long span of time between drafts, but hopefully it won’t be too much of a distraction.

And so, without further ado…

After that morning’s walk, I remember thinking how we can learn so much from stories – personal and historical, stories from others, and daily observations.

Our task with this blog is to make a critical assessment of these stories, view them through different lenses, break them down into basic elements, and find real world application for any lessons learned.

It’ll be a growth journey – for any readers who wish to join, and for myself.  We’ll dig in with gusto, bounce ideas around, and increase familiarity with useful principles.  We’ll prompt good discussions and mutual learning.

Essentially, that was the beginning of the original post.  Brief, I know – but important to capture (for reasons we’ll discuss in a future post).

Now, fast forward five months – Yesterday, I was sitting in a coffee shop near my new home in Dallas (which has potential to be a good writing spot) and today (Sunday morning) on my couch thinking about this old post.

Really, any type of walk whether literal or metaphorical (more to follow about the metaphorical perspective) can have a number of attributes that aren’t often considered.

For this post we’ll discuss an idea Marcus Aurelius referenced in his meditations and consider how that relates to this theme.

Marcus Aurelius states in the Meditations (the Meric Casaubon translation, 1634), Book Four, Section 3:

“They seek for themselves private retiring places, as country villages, the sea-shore, mountains; yea thou thyself art wont to long much after such places. But all this thou must know proceeds from simplicity in the highest degree. At what time soever thou wilt, it is in thy power to retire into thyself, and to be at rest, and free from all businesses. A man cannot any whither retire better than to his own soul; he especially who is beforehand provided of such things within, which whensoever he doth withdraw himself to look in, may presently afford unto him perfect ease and tranquillity.”

What he is saying is that people often want to get away from the stressful hustle and bustle of daily life.  Everyone loves to go on vacation – a cabin in the woods, fishing on the lake, Paris or Ibiza.  The thing is, we don’t necessarily need to go anywhere specific to find rest.  It’s possible to get the same rejuvenation right where we are.

Now, I’m busy, but nowadays I do my best to make time to rest.  Many people are always on the move.  Erratically so.  To what end?  What’s the motivation?  Perhaps they’re running from something.  There’s no judgement here – I’ve been there too.  Many times.  It’s just important to consider questions like that.

For others, the old adage “Wherever you go there you are” rings of deep truth.  I’ve found that useful.

It seems that acceptance and embracing the present moment can play a large role in finding peace and rest.  This has been the great boon of meditation – and of course, taking walks.  Both are intensive practice in the art of acceptance, contentment, gratitude, and a cultivation of the awareness of inner divinity.

There are many other stoic principles which can prove helpful in enhancing this peace.  I’m sure we’ll discuss those thoroughly at a later date.

How often do you take walks?  What benefits have you seen from them?

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maridav © 123RF.com
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