Sermons from the Trail

While the Body Roams, the Mind Wanders

When I want to think, I go out walking. I start out taking in my surroundings, enjoying the the sun and the sky, the scenery, the wildlife, and being out in nature. But as I go I start to leave this all behind. The world fades into the background and I put my body on autopilot. Then I'm ready to let my mind slip its lead.

I think about life in general and nothing in particular.
I think about past regrets and future hopes.
I think about plans for supper, for tomorrow, for the rest of my life.
I think about friends and family and what they mean to me.
I think about good times and bad.
I think about lost loves, and the ones I haven't found yet.
I think about the simple pleasure of putting one foot in front of the other and travelling under my own power.
After a while, I start to think about blisters.
And finally, when I'm out of trail, or out of time, or out of breathe - I stop and think how lucky I am.