Walking is wonderful

Today I decided to skip my scheduled run and just walk. I have been running so much in preparation for The Hood to Coast next weekend that I forgot how beautiful the air was in the morning, and how lovely the flowers are.

It is kind of like that in everything we do in life - isn't it. We are driving so much, so we decide to bike ride every once in a while and we notice things we didn't notice in the car. We run so much that the day we decide to walk we, again, notice the things that speed by us too fast while running.

It happens in our marriage, with our kids, or with our clients as well. We are so busy speeding through what needs to be done that we forget to take joy in the simple pleasures that are brought to us.

Did you know that quiet time is one of the core disciplines we should schedule time for each week? Without quiet time, we cannot truly listen to what we need to hear. Without quiet time we cannot truly see what we need to see. Our senses go into overload when we just stop and pay attention. And boy, there is so much to pay attention to.

Today, during my busy coaching day, my husband asked if I could go out to lunch with him. At first I just kind of laughed and then looked at him like he suggested we fly to the moon and back. I mean, I have 1 hour for lunch and then I have to be sitting in my coaching chair preparing for my afternoon sessions. I couldn't possibly have time to go out to eat. I suggested he bring me back some fish tacos (he was heading to Wahoo's - which has the best fish tacos if you are into that sort of thing). He wasn't buying that idea. After thinking about it, I realized that I would probably just go read my book during lunch anyways, so why wouldn't I jump in the car and go with him. I made him promise we would be back in 1 hour.

Not only were we back in time, but I had time to spare and the memory of us sitting in the sun and eating a wonderful meal together. So worth the effort.

Whether it is going for a walk versus a run, having lunch with your hubby versus gobbling down something quick, or anything else you always get stuck doing - I encourage you to each stop for a moment allow yourself the freedom to have some much needed quiet time.