Life is messy. Can a walk solve the world’s problems?
Sometimes life can just get to be too much. In those moments, I like to get outside to take a deep breath and go for a walk. Ergo, can a walk solve the world’s problems?
What led me to ask this question is that I was taking a “Facebook break” recently. There are days when I wonder about the whole idea of social media and what it’s doing to the human psyche. But it’s a modern tool of communication, and so I dutifully check my account. I scrolled through my news feed and watched various posts scroll by.
When things seem bad….
First, I saw the stories about racism in the US. Next came articles about the recent suicide of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade, I felt my chest tighten. I should have stopped then, but I continued, taking in opinions about everything that’s wrong with the US, comments about the current president and more. Finally, I really had to stop when I scrolled to an article about how a chimpanzee clung to his tree as bulldozers dug all around him.
Hot tears of frustration welled in my eyes.
I found myself wondering how I could fix all the problems in the world, and the subsequent frustration in knowing that I can’t. The tears started freely rolling down my cheeks then. I felt the pain of the animals who lost their homes due to human development. I wished I could magically take away the plastic island in the ocean upon which penguins are living. Crazy ideas popped into my head of how to fix the political situation in this country that leaves people so divided, and…and….
Let yourself feel the emotions
In that moment it was all just too much. I had a moment of grief. I let myself feel it and I stopped what I was doing to let myself experience this emotion. For me, meditation is the key to processing my emotions.
Incidentally, I was getting ready to go on my afternoon walk. As I looked out the window, I asked the question, “How do I deal with all this? How do I live in a world that is sometimes so cruel?”
Even before I left, I felt the answer to come to me.
I am so grateful I live in a place where I can easily walk in the woods. This photo is from the end of May when I drove about 15 minutes to get to this trail near my house. It had just rained.
No one is supposed to carry all the burdens of the world
A voice gently told me that I am not meant to carry the burden of the world on my shoulders and that all is as it should be. The message continued: there will come a day when I will know exactly what I need to do to improve the planet – in whatever form that may be. I have thought plenty about how to help the immigrants and their children, how to help the environment, how to advocate for people of color, how to help the poor, how to help people who are suffering mentally, how to be a light in a dark world.
Before this realization, I already knew that just focusing on “what’s wrong” would never get me anywhere. Or at least, anywhere that would bring me any kind of peace. In the next instant, I felt myself just let all this go. I made myself smile and get ready for my walk.
[bctt tweet=”I am not meant to carry all the burdens of the world. I am meant to live my life the best way I know how, making a difference as I can.” username=”n2itvnspiritual”]
Expressing gratitude on my walk
On my walk, I consciously tried not to label anything (that’s a mindfulness technique), I tried to walk mindfully and let myself feel gratitude for everything that was going right all around me.
The sun was shining brightly. I listened to the songs of so many birds that dwell in the lush green trees. A smile appeared on my face. In that moment I felt a tangible measure of peace.
I praised my dog as he walked without barking at other dogs or yanking me along. The scores of colorful gardens and flowers drew my lips into a smile. The house that I love to live in came to mind and I gave thanks for it.
My trusty tennis shoes. They’re all worn out. This photo was taken at the end of April. They don’t quite look worn out here, but what you can’t see are the holes and worn soles.
Grateful for the little things…
A quick glance at my weary tennis shoes made me grin. They are worn out due to all the steps I have walked in the past year. I said thank you to my body that has propelled me through step after step, day after day.
I live in a safe neighborhood, with sidewalks I can traverse on, instead of having to be in the road. All my needs are met, and even some wants. “Thankful” is my word of choice here.
By the time I returned home, I felt so much better. Everything really is as it should be. If there is something that I need to fix, the desire and means for it to happen will be provided. I need to keep focusing on that which I want to see in my life.
It’s nice to know that I can still love and appreciate so many things, even in an imperfect world. Maybe a walk can solve the world’s problems.
Love this as, because a kid my own grandfather used to say that when he got annoyed or upset about something he would go for a walk to clear his head. I always have remembered his words not his. I, myself, love to walk and do so often throughout the week. So, the idea that a simple walk could solve the world’s problems, too truly speaks to me. Thank you my sweet friend for the hopeful sentiment and ideas here. Hugs and wishing you the best week ahead now xoxo <3
Janine – thank you so much! Your grandfather sounds so wise! I love to walk – looooove it! If we lived closer to each other, we would totally have “walk dates” hehe. I think getting outside to clear one’s head could lead to world peace. Thank you for your sweet comments and insights. I so enjoy them. 🙂
Nice post Cynthia. Walking and time in nature always help center me too. And I agree that we aren’t meant to carry all those burdens, but be open to how we can help where we are. You do make a difference and thank you.
Brad – thank you! I agree: I always feel better, even if I don’t necessarily figure out the exact answer, sometimes I think that no answer is THE answer. And yeah, then we can help where we are, how we are, when we are, and what we are. Thank you for your kind words.
I can’t solve the world’s problems, Lil Sis. All I can do is make my tiny corner of this world a safe and loving place for others to visit. That’s all I can do. I am severely limited and yet, if you think about it, that’s quite a bit for one person to accomplish…a safe harbor where all are welcomed….imagine!
Hugs coming your way
bill
Big Bro – And your tiny corner of the world is brimming with chickens, enthusiasm, the written word, and such love! It sounds like a pretty awesome place. 🙂 You have accomplished SO MUCH, my friend. So, so much. You are incredible and I’m so glad to know you. Hugs back atcha.
“I am not meant to carry the burden of the world on my shoulders and that all is as it should be. It took me many years to get to that point.” Well said!
I always knew I was supposed to take care of what was put directly in front of me. A child in need of a smile or kind word. Any little act of kindness. The rest is not our business. If they start coming to have neighbor turn in neighbor, I will not be party to it. That’s what I can do. There is a much higher intelligence than mine in charge and I’m sometime wondering what the bigger picture is but I’m not able to see it. So I stopped watching the news each day and just see where I can be of help. I have my social media but it’s quite limited. Even there I do not allow myself to be sucked under. That helps no one. You are doing the right things. Stay up and I do agree, a walk can solve all my problems in the world. I have no business trying to manage anyone other than me.
Marlene – I love your wisdom. You are a nurturer. It’s evident in the way that you have shared about your sister, the stories that you have told, in the care that you bring to all that you do. I completely agree. It’s not our business what everyone else’s doing. I can do my part to make my corner of the world a little better. And in my own life I know that I can still do so much more. It’s easy to get carried away on social media. Though I work on it for my job, I am careful not to get too involved. Although sometimes, even just logging in can be overwhelming. In those moments, I shut the computer, take a breath and… go for a walk. hehe. I hope you’re doing well, and thank you for stopping by. Sending big hugs!
This was like breathing a breath of fresh air.. And it takes us a while to come to realise that we do not need to carry the world’s weight.. Oh did it take a while..
But I am over the moon that you have clearly come to that state where we understand our open hearts that are filled with compassion are best served if we go within and send love out to those shadowy places which others amplify with their constant picking over of scabs that never allow healing of the world to take place..
I have learnt a lot about myself in these weeks where I have cut down my internet time, and allowed myself to absorb deeper once again into my meditation practices..
‘Become the Observer’ I was told ‘ Detach and disconnect, but Re-connect with Self..
Nature is indeed a healer and has been my saviour for a long long while.. As I retreat into its sanctuary of peace and renewal..
Walking is a wonderful passtime, especially if you have a dog as companion.
And yes, ( everything really is as it should be ) as you said.. All is well in my world..
Love and Blessings dearest Cynthia.. And I am delighted to now have time to spend and read your posts in the quiet of the morning.. All my chores are complete.. Lunch and Dinner are prepped and prepared for later..
Love and Hugs my dear dear friend..
Sue <3 <3
Sue – so wonderful to see you, sweet friend! Ah, though I know “consciously” that I can’t/shouldn’t/don’t need to carry the world’s weight, there are days where I think about everything that’s going on and it…just makes me cry…brings tears to my eyes. Especially, ESPECIALLY when it comes to animals. I feel like with humans, they can control their environments a little easier (not always, such as with children), but that animals are completely at the whim of human activity. But yes, on this meditating journey, I have found great comfort in moving and looking within and then yes…loving kindness, sending out love. Oh my goodness! I have found that people respond to that – and they have no idea what’s come over them, lol. When I do those loving kindness meditations, it seems to transform relationships. Wow.
As far as cutting down internet time…I’m looking forward to that starting on Wednesday this week. 🙂 I am so looking forward to going within and cultivating my meditation. And I’m looking forward to writing about it. 🙂 That is such good advice: “become the observer” and “detach and disconnect and reconnect with the self.” YES! I’m working on these. I tend to be a garrulous little hummingbird, but…I’m learning to get quiet and let go…
Oh Sue…you know, all the other meditation students elected to stay in hotels (because we’re only at the institute during the day). But Sedona is a place where there are many vortices. I NEEDED to camp. I needed to be in nature. The place where I’m camping is known as a spiritual retreat area and it’s a long a river in the high desert…I can already feel the zing. I can already feel the tinglings of a transformative journey.
Alas, on our trip, my doggie will have to stay with relatives (it’ll be way too hot for him and we’ll both be busy during the day) but…yes. So good. I love taking him on walks with me.
Love and blessings to you. Your light is so incredible. I have been thinking of you as I navigate some of life’s more difficult challenges: my mother in law recently broke her back from a fall, but is recovering and going through physical therapy. My birth father, the one I wrote about when I was out in Arizona in the spring, is nearing the end of his life and I got a call that he might only have days. These sorts of things push me into a contemplative state, simultaneously appreciative of my life and sad that they are both nearing the end of theirs. It’s surreal and yet comforting as I understand the cycle of life must complete itself. I look within when I feel the tinges of stress from these events, but also grateful for knowing them, for being present, and trying to help.
This life…is so interesting…cyclical. And interesting. Thank you for your insights! Sending you big hugs, -C
So sorry to hear of your Mother in Law’s fall and consequences, my prayers are added in her direction and also in the transition of your birth Father.. It was good you got to see him, and release all that was pent up. There will be more emotional floods, allow them to flow Cynthia, its all part of the internal cleansing process.
Your retreat sounds to be idyllic and I know you will only grow through it and gain more perspective of your journey and where you are heading..
Yes you will miss your dog and he you, but if he is with relatives I am sure he will enjoy his holiday just as much.. To be fussed over.
We went to see my last remaining Uncle on Friday, he is in a hospice for a while until his family can sort out a bed at home, as he wishes to be at home.. He is in his eighties and has throat cancer, which has travelled, He was diagnosed in January, I do not know how he is still here to be honest, But he has a wonderful personality, sense of humour second to none..
I had him laughing remembering the things we would get up to as children and the journeys he and his wife would take us on day outings, as he had a car and my parents didn’t… He has a generous soul..
We said our goodbyes, I know I will not see him again, and I doubt he will go home.
I also learnt yesterday a lady whom was in my circle and we both did our healing course together had died, her funeral I will attend in August. I had not seen her for years as she moved and became ill, She had suffered from severe Diabetes for many years,and was always even in our healing days a poorly lady..
I used to think she absorbed peoples illness, I told her often she cared too much and had to channel energy through her not from her.. As she would feel depleted that is not good for anyone.
So yes we have to learn how to detach a little, that doesn’t mean we do not care.. But I know you and I are similar in nature is that we give from our hearts and we feel a whole lot more..
Which is why I have to take myself away from news .. I put my self often in the victims shoes,, especially if children are involved and it tears me to pieces if I do not control my feelings and focus my energy elsewhere..
Which is why Nature is so healing and our creative pursuits a must for us..
Have a wonderful time Cynthia, I know you will go deeper than before and learn so much about your inner power..
Love and Blessings my friend, and thank You for listening.. A listening ear is all we need now and again.. I always know I am heard when I speak here, And you dear Cynthia are always listened to even though I may take a while to respond.. Know your words are precious.
Love and Blessings xx
Sweet Sue!
Thank you for your patience in waiting for my response. I hope you’ve been well and I hope you’ve enjoyed some time away from the computer, too! My mom in law is doing much better and on the mend. We’re all so glad.
The retreat was hard, incredible, informative and wonderfully rewarding all at once. I will tell you more in an email; I am also finishing that book you told me about. Wow. Just wow.
I hope your uncle is doing all right – you know, I have a relative who is in a veteran’s home. He’s still fairly young: 61 years old. But he has a brain degenerative disease and yet he’s hanging on. I had a chance to see him while I was out west and I’m glad I did. If but just to give hugs and love. So many of us manifest health problems and I’m coming to learn that it’s often where we’re stressed and hold blockages.
I’m right with you on the news. Especially now, I have a hard time watching even just a little bit before I find myself in tears at the state of the world…I have to refocus my energy into something that will help instead of passively absorbing the negative. The tech fast of the past couple of weeks was incredible: it was nice to not have my phone out, or the computer. It was nice to just enjoy life without a tech attachment. 🙂 I got back and immediately had to return to my computer, doing website work for the school and other folks and I crave the outdoors once again. I need to figure out – MUST figure out – how to carve out time every single day, to be outdoors for awhile.
Sweet Sue – you are always heard when you speak here. Your words carry so much wisdom and power that anyone who reads them will understand and know the reach of your heart. Sending you so much love and light, sweet friend! I’ll send you an email in a couple days here. Big hugs! xoxo
Dearest Cynthia,
Wonderful to know that your time away from technology was rewarding. And that you enjoyed your retreat.. Lots to absorb at such events.. And no wonder you do not wish to come back down to earth my friend..
So pleased to learn your Mum in law is doing much better..
Sadly my Uncle passed a week later after I visited him. He never got to go home.. But he was ready to travel to his final destination..
I was happy to have got to say my goodbyes to him in person before his transition..
We attended his funeral today.. He had a good life and left his family many beautiful memories.. While his family are going to miss him, I know there will be many waiting to welcome him to his real home..
Yes that book is an eye opener.. And confirmed other channelled works I have read along with the insights and the teachings some guides and spirit communicators whom I have come into contact with over the years have also touched upon..
We have little time left to delve deeper into ourselves, and learning to separate ourselves from the negativity and embrace our inner selves/higher-selves/souls
And as we open our hearts we begin to wake up to the fact that this world is not what we have been taught it to be..
Its taken me many many years of digging, finding the pieces of the way the world works as well as finding my own missing pieces of Self..
When we begin to slot them all into order we see the larger picture…
And not only do our hearts need to be open.. But our minds too have to often take a summersault turn as the reality of our existence is turned upside down.
I look very much forward to your future email.. I loved your last reply, I did not reply as I knew you were off grid.. 🙂
And although I have done a couple of posts my own internet time has been much reduced..
Enjoying the Summer Sun heat, even though its brought its own problems of drought.. But rare here.. Things we have to get used to.. For our weather patterns are changing..
All of these things are part of the cycles in the cosmos, predicted by many wise beings throughout history.
We need to work more deeply within ourselves and to help others wake up to themselves too..
A Mission I guess I have been on many years, yet I neglected my own self for so long in the attention of giving myself Love..
I have since learnt to rectify this.. And the new energies coming forward have helped me feel a new found inner peace that I never held before..
Sending giant hugs your way my friend..
I so feel our connection..
Love and Blessings
Sue <3
I do believe that a walk – a time out from the worries of the day- is one of the best ways we can ‘self care’ ourselves.
With peacefulness restored and positive energy recharged, imagine the ripple effect that occurs.
Love this post, love you and thank you, dear Cynthia.
Sweet Mar – yes, I had a feeling that you’d like the idea of a walk. I love doing this – getting rid of all the worries of the day. Ahh. It restores the peace of mind that we need to bring happiness and peace to others. 🙂 Thank you for your sweet words, Mar. You’re awesome!!