I'm at a time in my life that will never be again. I have the high peaks of the Swiss Alps on each side of my world. I have afternoons occasionally free where I can drive down the mountain to a nearby river. Along this river is a beautiful bike trail that I walk along. I've been able to get some lovely, long walks in. I walk for hours and miles and realize that I might not have the time to do this again once life gets busy in Portugal.I don't rush. I don't hurry. I don't speed walk too much or even think about burning calories or having exercise...instead, I just walk. I walk. I smell the air. I look at the leaves on the trees and the fish hitting the surface of the river in search of something. I listen to an audio book...lately two different ones by Wayne Dyer (a big thanks to that person who first introduced me to him!) and find myself at some level of deep peace I never have experienced before.
Since I'm walking along the bike trail at the time when most people my age are hard at work, every five or ten minutes a sweet old Swiss man passes me slowly on his bike and says, "Bonjour!"
It's the highlight of my walk. These wrinkled and active men who look about at the end of their life's journey. Smiling. Pushing those pedals with the same amount of peace and time and joy that I take my steps.
It pretty much rocks.
12 comments:
you are living a beautiful life, i love to hear about how much you are enjoying it.
I love imagining those wrinkled old men walking by offering a 'bonjour'. Those quiet moments of connection with people are profound. I experience that from time to time when I go for a run. In passing another runner we'll offer a small wave or nod. Just an acknowledgment:"Hey. We run. Keep strong". It's simple but never ceases to give me a rush of joy.
Hooray for great walks. I almost feel I was there.
i have 3 kids to attend to, let alone a wife, but i still try to make the most of my time and take advantage of the hour or two i can squeeze out the day with my wifes help of course.
alone time is so beneficial and its not even the amount of time spent, but the mindset going in.
Salud!
This was really, really nice to read..I found you from Twirl Unabashedly.....it sounds Joyous and peaceful the way you describe it...I also love Wayne Dyer and have been reading his work for 20 years...I feel that he is brilliant on so many levels...EnJoy..you Day..!
Peace is a tough one to find in my experience, and it's great that you're getting some of it. I think mountains really help to emphasize smallness and unimportance of ego as compared to nature and time.
Says the guy from the Midwest.
But Portugal appeals to me so much more, with its sun and pigeons, words ending in -ão, and cafes with dessert wines (I've only been to Lisbon). Perhaps I just need a vacation, or for summer to arrive. It will.
Michelle! YOU too are living a beautiful life of wit and charm and so much kindness. I love to get a glimpse of it every once in a while. Thanks for being part of my life!
Krisanne--that you for that! It's exactly right. There is a connection we have with people and we can have it more often than we do. I think finding those moments of our day to make connections is one of the best parts of life.
Alisa--dear friend, I wish you WERE There. I've been loving the poetry you have shared!
Sammy! I agree. When we can take those ten minutes or twenty to get to our own sacred spot, then it makes the time we spend with others a bit more fresh! Glad you are doing it! I bet your children are adorable!
Olivier--Salud yourself. I wish my Spanish was better, but what a cool site you have!
Robin! You totally brightened my day. I loved getting to see your blog too! What an amazing person! I'm looking forward to sharing more thoughts with you!
JMH--hey, I just really think you are cool. I love your blog and your insights into my little posts. I've definitely been feeling the draw south. I've been ready to walk on the sand instead of the snow, to eat fresh fish instead of swiss cheese, to feel a sea breeze on this face instead of the mountain air. There is a cycle to everything, and my time to find a new energy in Portugal is coming. I'll be living around the Algarve! So cool!
Thanks, I love compliments. They have swiss cheese in Switzerland? I thought it was like french fries. I learn something new every day.
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