The Art Trail

It was 69 degrees when I hit the trail this morning at about 7:30. The sun was shining, even though clouds were trying to cover it up, and it looked like it was going to be a nice day. 

I missed walking yesterday, due first to rain and then thunderstorms. I'm not afraid of rain, but I'm not going to chance being struck by lightning. So, I was determined to get out there today. I decided today I would take pictures of the artwork along the trail. I've posted some of them, but today I hoped to get them all, and I did, except for one that was too far off the trail to get a good picture. They are at the end of the blog and posted with the text on Facebook. 

It took a little longer to get to the end of the trail because I was stopping here and there to take a quick photo along the way, but today I got there! From where I generally start, by the north end of the parking lots off South College, I discovered that it is 1.1 miles to the little park and small lake, and apparently, the end of the trail. Then, I turn around and go back the way I came. There is another path that splits off the main one and seems to go to the other side of the lake. I will try that path next time.

There are other trails to take, too. I can walk up around the college buildings and through a wooded area as an alternative walking path. Getting to the end of the art trail was a goal for me, though.

Today, a new record for me: 2.2 miles! I was not even out of breath. 

As I have said before, I'm writing this to encourage others and to give the glory to God!  I'm NOT trying to brag on myself. If He had not enabled me, I would not have been able to start this walking journey. In fact, He even put the determination in me to do this! Back in March, when I was so defeated because I couldn't walk more than maybe a quarter mile without sitting down due to back spasms, something shifted in my thought processes. I suddenly knew that I had to change my habits of vegging out in my recliner if I had any hopes of retaining my mobility and independence as I age.

The clouds finally won and now we are expecting strong thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. I really do hate Spring because of the possibility of tornados. I'm praying we all stay safe today.

As promised, the pictures are posted here. I tried to caption them all, on Facebook, at least. It's harder and more time-consuming on Blogspot.

Be blessed, my friends!

"Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul." Psalm 54:4 NASB*

*Maybe the psalmist didn't have getting help from God to take care of his health better, but I think the Lord cares about my health, and He does help me.

Early Walking is Nice

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would address walking, or any kind of outdoor activity at all, but here we are.

All my life I have been a night owl. Even through the years and circumstances that caused me to have to get up early, I did it by necessity, not because I enjoyed it. I would say that is still true today, with one observation: early morning can have its benefits.

Last week I got up early a few days to get my grandkids to school and decided I would walk right after I dropped them off, since I was up anyway. I discovered (or perhaps, just remembered...I have actually been up before 7:00 am in my 70 years), that it is quite lovely outside on a spring morning. 

It is May, and the "beast of scorching heat" that comes upon this area in the summer is still slumbering, but right now the mornings are actually nice. I found that walking about 8:00 am was perfect weather, since I prefer it to be on the cooler side. I thoroughly enjoyed my morning walks last week. My thoughts were, "well, I'll walk in the mornings this week because I'm already up, but next week I'm sleeping in!"

This morning I woke up at 6:20. Yes, in the A.M.

Normally I'd be thinking "seriously? I can sleep as late as I want, and I wake up early?" Instead, my first thought was "I should check the weather and go ahead and walk if it's not raining."

What?!?

So I did just that. I saw on the weather app that we could have showers off and on all day, with a greater chance in the afternoon. My old self would have rejoiced that I might get out of walking, but this "loves to walk" version is planning ways to get my walk in around the weather.

I am not writing this to brag. I'm not "patting myself on the back" for finally doing what I should have been doing all along. I'm writing it to encourage someone out there that whatever it is that you know deep down that you want and need to do, you can do it. 

Look, if I, a lifelong couch potato and overall sedentary lifestyle advocate can start going on a daily walk at the age of 70, anything is possible. I wouldn't have believed it 3 months ago. But now, I know I can not only do what I need to do for my health, I actually enjoy it and look forward to it.

This isn't just about walking. This is a "fill in the blank" encouragement. Only YOU know what it is that you wish you could do, but you think you can't. You CAN. 

It was 7:34 am when I hit the trail this morning, and the threat of rain was looming all around, as the photos I attached will show. I walked 1.5 miles and wasn't even really tired, but I did want some coffee. 

Oh, and I'm still a night owl at heart. I'm not saying I will always walk before 8 am.  But I can and will get up early when the need arises.

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 NASB

Looking Up When Down

I try to be positive online, but it's not been easy lately. Life can sometimes get you down in spite of your best intentions to rise above it. I was really down this afternoon when I went for my daily walk on the ASU campus trails. I love walking there. I was hoping that some exercise and sunshine would lift my mood.

Sometimes to be an encourager, I have found I have to share little, seemingly trivial things along the way. I have to look for the good, the glimpses of God at work to boost my dark mood. In sharing how I have found light in the low places, it is my hope that someone will read this and be uplifted.

I can't elaborate, but currently there are things out of my control that have me upset. On my walk, I listened to an encouraging podcast by a Christian author, and I kept walking after it was over, praying about the issue that has me down.

It's not solved yet, but I have no doubt that God will work it all out. He always has my back. He doesn't always act as quickly as I would like, and sometimes the answer is different than expected, but He will take care of me; I am sure of it.

Meanwhile, I did find some things on my walk to be happy about. 

First, the scenery was beautiful. Not only the trees and landscaping, but there are art sculptures along the trail.  The sun was peeking through the clouds, and for some reason I found this encouraging. I've added some photos of these.

Secondly, I also enjoyed that the creek was merrily running along, vibrant and full from the recent rains we have had. Something about the sight and sound of a babbling brook is so therapeutic to me.

Finally, on my way back to the car, after I had turned around (because I still haven't gone to the end of the art trail. I'm thinking it's maybe at least 2 miles one way?) I was passing a couple with the most adorable puppy. He looked kind of like a cocker spaniel. He was so cute! I actually asked to pet him, which they agreed to, and he was very happy about that. This little dog, probably under a year old, was so sweet and friendly. It made me smile in spite of my troubles.

Bonus: I walked 1.71 miles, and I realized as I neared the car that my back didn't hurt! Usually when I have attempted to walk more than 1.25 miles, I start having spasms in my mid-back and have to sit down. This didn't happen on this walk!

God has my situation. I know He will take care of me. And He gave me some things to smile about as I walked along talking to Him about it all.

"Blessed be the Lord, Because He has heard the sound of my pleading. The Lord is my strength and my shield; 
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; 
Therefore, my heart triumphs, And with my song I shall thank Him."

Psalm 28:6-7