- - - - en promenade

the time of year when resolutions are made
I never go by that
instead I'm retaining an intention 

the intention to keep walking

at least one hour 

sometimes more

time to think, breathe

and listen to the sounds around me

no targets

no regime

just walking

when I want

where I want

~~~
2019 = 652km 

face your fear

the brain is a peculiar thing
it holds deep memory
it pushes negative things into the recesses
and brings positive to the forefront
if you allow

despite living beside the seaside for most of my life
I don't swim but adore being next to  the sea

a lake, a river, an ocean

I have a fear of being in or on open water
born from a childhood incident
that I really don't remember
but my brain does
I walk the shoreline
dip my feet and ankles
but that's as far as I go
until this week ....
I felt the time was right to face my fear
with my hand held
I walked into the lake, to my waist
and dipped my shoulders under the water
looking at the mountains from the water line

calm breath, a smile
for a short moment I lifted my feet from the sand
I was safe
and it felt amazing

// // // // the power of outside

The Way of Filatiers

voie verte

this "Greenway" was built on the right-of-way 

of the old Lavelanet - Bram railway line 

between Lavelanet and Mirepoix 

I walk along it most mornings

above the village

past gardens

no cars

yes cyclists

walkers

animals

mostly juste moi

along the lower path

past the chickens, guinea pigs

howling hunters dogs 

cows with their bells jangling

a timid little black cat

a curious black and white dog

first snowdrops

fields and forest to my left

the best part is my return walk

after living in the very flat county of Essex

most of my life

I've a new love

magnificent mountains 

snow topped 

village rooftops

hazy clouds

never boring

"The object of walking is to relax the mind. 

You should therefore not permit yourself even to think while you walk; 

but divert your attention by the objects surrounding you."

Jefferson wrote in this letter to Peter Carr in 1785

+- retour/depart

 when you're stuck in life's inbetweens
treading water until the next page
small rituals keep you afloat

wake when it is still dark
make a cup of tea
glance at posts online
unroll your yoga mat
breathe
shower
eat breakfast
go for a walk ....

breathe
reconnect
at some point the tide will change
and I'll be swept off in a new direction