Walking Feet

March 30, 2014

Walking Feet

“Walk, don’t run. Walking feet only.” It occurred to me on Friday, as I said it to a child running full sprint past me  down a hallway in one of the schools I work in, I have been repeating that phrase for more than half my life.  I laughed at the thought of that reality and that for more than 20 years most people, including myself have ignored this command.  Looking back on my life I’ve always run full speed ahead, only stopping to look back now and then to see how far I’ve come.  Sometimes only to discover, I’d only run in a great big circle.

On Saturday morning, a newer friend of mine, would be waiting on a corner to run a few miles with me.  She is faster than I, so when she asked if I’d be interested in an early morning run, I did not want to pass up the opportunity to work a little harder.  When my alarm went off, if she wasn’t  waiting for me, I would’ve passed on running that morning, but we both wanted to beat the forecasted rain.  It ended up being a great run, she kept me going.  I usually run, alone, I enjoy the isolation, so the idea of running with someone else was a little awkward for me at first but in addition to it starting out as a fairly nice day, the surprise of finding the joy in the friendship on this run was very rewarding.  I did work much harder than I would have on my own so after she turned up her street I ran only a few more blocks before deciding to walk the last half mile home.

I never walked home from a run, I always finished at my driveway and walked it off briefly afterwards to cool down.  At first the quiet of my footsteps and the silence of the morning were uncomfortable.   But I thought back to what seemed so ironic the day before, and allowed myself time to walk.  Suddenly I realized in the silence, in the slowing down, I could hear, not just myself, but the world outside of  me.  I could hear the bells of a church, small birds singing, a dog barking, they are sounds we all know, but for some reason today, I felt as though I was listening  and not just hearing.  That last half mile of walking with myself, recharged my soul, the first six/seven running with a friend, recharged my heart.  

Then today, visiting with an old friend from childhood and his family in one of the most amazing places I’ve ever seen.  Just spectacular in it’s natural beauty.  My words will never do it justice.  We walked through acres of trails, spring muddy, making it even more fun.  It was surreal to see his children, my children playing together, walking through these trails as memories from growing up tied us back together to today.  I was so glad we walked and the mud forced us to step slowly and carefully as our children ran ahead.  When the walk began the kids stuck close still not really sure of each other but after stomping through a few large puddles together, it wasn’t long before they distanced themselves from the grownups and had developed new friendships with each other.

We spoke throughout of how different our childhood growing up was without all the technology of today.  Having to find payphones and waiting for a dial up connection to get online and not being able to be on the phone and the internet at the same time.  We were forced to slow down and wait. 

We complained of the challenges of parenting teenagers and pre- teens and laughed at the innocence of our little ones and our own awkward teenage years.  Being there felt like home, it felt like I walked in a great big circle and ended up right back where I started and in that moment, I would not have wanted to be anywhere else in the world.

 I thought on the ride home what a wonderful day we had and how blessed I felt to have these friends woven back into my life.    I couldn’t help but think of how people, friends old and new are woven into the fabric of our lives with such perfection in such a perfect time.  And I couldn’t help but wonder if I hadn’t stopped Sunday and slowed down, if I would have run right by this perfect moment and day?  And on Saturday if I hadn’t broken beyond my isolated running, would I know the joy of running with a friend and how full the world is when I slow down?

To be honest, I rush to avoid.  Avoid facing life.  Life can be hard and if I keep on keeping on I won’t have time to notice the losses or what is lacking.  But what if I could slow down and only see how full my life really is?  Is that where one finds joy? Happiness? How many moments did I run by and not soak up with my running feet? 

  Our world is spinning so fast.  As we get older the hours, days, weeks, months, and years seem to pass so much faster.  Maybe we need to use our walking feet now and again if nothing else to just listen and see the beautiful moments that surround us, nourish our hearts and souls, and fill us.  Can we give up the rush and isolation of our high tech world for our walking feet and  a slower simplicity of moments like nature walks through acres of mud with friends that we will be able to keep with us long after we upgrade to the next iphone?  And more importantly can we appreciate that value of these moments and teach our children that the value in these moments cannot be upgraded by anything but love, patience, and time?