“I still only travel by foot, and by foot it’s a slow climb.”
I love walking slowly, ambling. If I find myself in a group with a quick stride, I often fall behind willingly. When I’m with someone, I try to conform that person to my pace.
Therefore, I’ve decided to write about walking slowing and the ways in which one can increase the already incredible enjoyment in this activity.
- Hold someone’s hand. This usually works best when only two individuals are leisurely strolling together. The sign of affection can provide feelings of safety and comfort. And when you truly care about your hand-holding partner, it’s even more delightful.
- Look around. Appreciate everything conventionally beautiful, and find the beauty in things normally seen as unattractive.
- Be grateful for amazing weather. This does not only mean sunshine. It applies to every soft breeze and all balmy nights. Welcome each warm rainfall and delicate snowfall. Take the time to acknowledge the seasons.
- Eat ice cream. Ice cream is delicious, and it has the ability to make any pursuit more pleasurable. If there is not an ice cream shop or truck in the vicinity of your adventure, purchasing some from a corner store is perfectly acceptable.
- Listen. At times when an iPod is unavailable, remember that birds make music, too. When the streets are desolate and you have no audio device, listen to the sounds silence makes while meandering.
- Stop someplace. Take a break from your saunter to search through junk at a random flea market or sit on a park bench and watch people. Notice the children and admire the puppies.
On Sunday evening, I was walking slowly to Dora’s. Unfortunately, my slow pace was not out of enjoyment, but necessity. I was still hungover from Saturday. I had the shakes. The hood of my jacket was covering my head, and I drank Gatorade as I smoked a Camel light.
I turned onto McKibbin Street. “You are beautiful. So beautiful,” a man said to me.
His comment reminded me how lovely the world is. I savored the rest of my walk.