"Takin' Time Out"

Definition:  To advance or travel on foot at a moderate speed or pace; proceed by steps; move by advancing the feet alternately so that there is always one foot on the ground.  To move about or travel on foot for exercise or pleasure.

 

Whew, I just got back from my daily WALK and my feet are sweaty and ache but I feel so good.  It’s kinda crazy thing to say that something hurts yet feels so good.  Maybe it is the heart-rate pumping and my blood is flowing that clears my head as I take deeper breaths in to fill my lung with oxygen while WALKING.  I am “Takin Time Out” to reflect on the gift of my feet and ability to WALK.  Thank you Lord I know some people do not have the capability, are handicapped or may have lost their limb in an accident or at birth.  Little things we take for granted.  My word of the year is “Awareness” so each day I try to tune into something small and be thankful and share through my prayer time.  This week it is the precious gift of my feet and WALKING.

 

Last year through work we implemented and encourage our employees to take part in a wellness program and the foundation was counting our Steps and how far we WALKED daily.  We were given a pedometer and reported our daily Steps on a weekly basis.  We had a map of the United States and each team was encouraged to WALK to each capitol throughout the United States by the end of the year.  The goal was for each team member to take at least 10,000 steps daily.  This was fun, motivating and great way to track how much we really move.  Just a few weeks ago I changed from the clip on pedometer to the new Jawbone UP 24 bracelet, it tracks my steps, my sleeping patterns, I can track my meals, water intake and it offers a support system through an app on my phone.  There are other products like the Nike Band or Fit Bit but the Jawbone is thinner and fit my personal needs the best.  It is amazing and being a goal oriented person it has been a perfect fit for me.  I have increased my goal of 10,000 steps from last year to 20,000 just a few weeks ago.  I try and get at least half my steps done first thing in the morning with the dawning of a new day.  I love to stick my Bluetooth in and listen to my favorite podcasts and head out, birds are chirping, fresh dew or dodging the sprinklers running on the lawns, squirrels and rabbits scampering.  I even saw a hawk and owl sitting in the trees the other morning.  Nature is so beautiful if we just take time to notice.  While listening to the podcasts it fills my mind with motivational thoughts, some are spiritual and the feeding of God’s word which adds to my daily quiet time.  I know it definitely feeds my soul while making the time fly by and sets my pace for the 3 to 5 mile morning WALK and depending on my results by the end of the day, I may take the same route in the evening unless the weather is too hot or cold, I will then hop on the treadmill.  To me it is a bit more boring WALKING on a treadmill, I definitely have to be listening to something otherwise time seems to stand still and it becomes a challenge to finish my WALK.

I also ask myself, why is it while we are on vacation or visiting some place new we don’t mind WALKING we really don’t think a thing about it but if we WALK for exercise it sometimes becomes cumbersome and challenging to keep our motivation going. 

 

For those of you who have been thinking about it but haven’t quite started a new workout regime, I strongly encourage you to set your mind, write it down, and then “Just Do It”.  If you are a goal oriented person like me then invest in some type of tracking device as it will make you more accountable.  I don’t care what age you are, we all need to get up and move a bit more.  Start small and work your way up, find a buddy to WALK with. I have a dear friend I love to WALK with in the evening when our schedules coincide, it is a great time to catch up on our lives and encourage one another. It is usually nonstop talking while WALKING which makes it more fun, deepens our friendship and improves our health. The other nice thing about WALKING is it doesn’t cost anything, it doesn’t require expensive or fancy workout equipment or gym membership.  It only requires a good set of supportive WALKING shoes, your time, dedication and a commitment.  Even if you aren’t in great health or have a form of disability most people can still WALK and improve their current state.  It might take a little longer and you may not go as far as others but YOU CAN DO IT, even if you have to use a WALKER or cane.  Let’s get moving…

 

Here are my top six advantages you personally can gain from WALKING:

1)    It reduces body fat can firm your buttocks (yes)

2)   It can help cure certain health issues & might help you live longer

3)   It is great for your brain

4)   It reduces Stress

5)   It gives you a chance to THINK (Takin Time Out)

6)   It can be a form of meditation and prayer time

 

While sipping on my freshly brewed cup of Tropical Passion hot tea, this brings me to another thought about WALKING.  We can WALK for our physical health but what about our spiritual health.  WALKING with God is defiantly a Divine Journey. The Bible encourages throughout scripture to “WALK in the Spirit”.  Just a few of my favorite verses on this topic are as follows:

 

2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we WALK by faith, not by sight”

 

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

 

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

 

Psalm 119:133 “Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.”

 

God’s true desire is for each of his children to WALK closer in a daily WALK with him and through this ritual we become more like him.  My motto in life is to be the Hands and Feet of Jesus.  To let God use me, make me, break me and fashion me to be all he has created me to be.  From the very beginning of time, God had a relationship with Adam & Eve that found them “WALKING in the garden in the cool of the day” Genesis 3:8.  God created us for the enjoyment of a WALKING relationship that involves companionship, dialogue, intimacy, joint decision-making, mutual delight, and shared sovereignty.  God truly longs to WALK with us, that is why his arms of grace are always wide open if we would just come to him.  Where is your relationship with him now…do you need to take the first step and rebuild a closer daily WALK with him?  Start today you will be so blessed.

 

I guess it’s time to wrap it up for this week.  As you are “Takin Time Out” maybe reflect where you are and if you need to make some changes or improvements in your life.  I encourage YOU to take that first step towards a WALKING program, find a friend, buy a tool to help you get motivated…whatever works for you…Take a deep breath, count your blessings and enjoy your new perception on WALKING until next time my dear friends…