I have never liked walking. I have had many an argument over the years with my wife because I couldn’t find a parking space right next to the restaurant or shop that we were going to . . . I mean, what’s the point of driving if you then have to walk a couple of hundred yards!!
I always knew that walking was healthy, an okay way to maintain fitness, but I had the belief that proper fitness was getting to the gym and really pushing myself on the cardiovascular machines.
That soon changed when I started to attend the presentations of Universal Medicine and Serge Benhayon. I learnt that walking offers a lot of what I really need. I understand and agree that we need a certain level of fitness and that I don’t need to go to the gym and push myself because my job as a bus driver doesn’t require me to be super fit. I now can feel that my body doesn’t need to be trained hard and that gentle exercise is what is needed.
I know this because I have done the intensive training for many years – whether it was during my time in the Army or when I was doing Martial Arts, or just pushing myself hard at the gym on the bikes or the rowing machine. I remember there were times when I pushed myself to the point of wanting to vomit. I may have been fitter in my ‘pushing’ days but I know I am more aware of my body with this gentler way of exercising. If, for any reason, my sole intent is to train hard, I am not going to listen to my body when it is telling me it has had enough, and then unsurprisingly, I end up with a ‘sudden’ injury.
So I started to walk on a regular basis and because I had a different mindset, I started to enjoy walking.
Within a couple of weeks I noticed my fitness was increasing, my thoughts were a lot clearer and I really enjoyed just being with me. When I went walking with my wife we had the chance to talk about what was going on for us and we were able to clear many issues.
I was walking regularly but it wasn’t consistent and in time the walks got less and less until it became only very occasionally, and then stopped.
About 6 months later my wife and I had what I like to describe as an indulgent food day. We ate quite late and ate excess sugar, which is unusual for us. We found it impossible to get to sleep as we were both feeling nauseous and bloated, so we decided to go for a walk. We walked and walked and walked. Over two and a half hours later we got home and went to bed.
From then on we started to walk consistently every day, which we did for about six months but again, things started to get in the way which made making excuses a lot easier, so little by little the consistency dropped off.
A few months later I read a blog about walking (thanks Josh Campbell) and was inspired to start again. My wife had recently started to walk again so that inspired me even more and for over a year now I have walked consistently every day. Again, within a couple of weeks I started to feel fitter, my head was clearer, my body started to feel lighter and there was the added bonus of my waistline shrinking.
Twice previously I have made a decision to walk every day and twice previously I have stopped – so what makes this time any different?
The answer to that is simply … Commitment.
With this commitment I have found that:
• Walking has helped me to move through my issues by talking; to my wife if I am walking with her, or simply talking to myself
• It has made it easier to manage the shift work I do
• I have a much deeper quality of sleep
• Instead of judging everything, I have a more balanced view
• I have a greater understanding of my choices and why I have made them.
In everything we do in life we have a choice. Walking was an area in my life that had the willingness but no commitment. I am committed in most areas of my life so I chose to bring that same level of commitment to walking. I decided that this time I would choose to stay committed and when the excuses came knocking I would remember that this is not just about maintaining my walking routine, but it is also about how I used to be. In the past, whenever things started to get in the way it was very easy to make excuses and give up – a pattern I had for most of my life.
Maintaining the walking now is easy …
• I don’t do it because I should
• I don’t do it to get fit
• I don’t do it for anyone else.
I do it for me and it brings me joy.
What I have also noticed is, that simple choice to be committed to walking has had an effect on all the other areas of my life that I wasn’t totally committed to, like paying more attention to what, when and how much to eat, by expressing more in how I feel and not holding back and overall just having a more positive view of life and a commitment to live life in full.
Commitment is not about perfection. Even if it’s only 15 minutes a day I know my intention is there and I am benefitting from it.
Only time will tell if I maintain this consistency but this level of commitment feels very strong for me now and because twice now, I have felt the difference in me when I started to walk again and really enjoyed it, I now have a reference point that I can feel in my body that will help me stay on track.
Inspired by the Love and teachings of Universal Medicine and Serge Benhayon.
By Tim Bowyer, Bus Driver, London
Further Reading:
Why We Love To Walk
Commitment To Self, Commitment to Life
The Joy of Simply Swimming
This blog invites me to commit again to walk regularly. It is a simple but very complete exercise we have at our hands that not only regenerates our body, but also brings much awareness and understanding to our life. A treasure worth to be re-discovered!
I have to say I love walking always have done, but then I developed an incredibly sore lower back and it was very painful to walk for quite a few years. Then I met Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine, I started to have treatments and attended the workshops and my lower back pain slowly went. I personally can attest to the Universal Medicine practitioners and the workshops I attend they keep me very fit and healthy which has opened up my body in such a way that I feel I was totally blind before.
Thank you Tim, inspiring indeed are your simple words and the commitment and understanding of the benefits of walking can never be denied, as walking is power-full in its ability to connect us to our origins.
Thank you Tim, walking offers us so much and we can all feel the bodily benefits from a simple 10 minutes a day program, and when you start adding extra walks and extra space it adds to the potent pleasure that walking brings. Also walking is money well spent as the saying goes, without breaking the budget.
Absolutely Tim, our commitment is so important, ‘Commitment is not about perfection. Even if it’s only 15 minutes a day I know my intention is there and I am benefitting from it.’
“I do it for me and it brings me joy” and the joy you feel in your body is felt by everyone else.
I have learned, usually the hard way, that there are no “sudden injuries”, injuries that I can blame on ‘something else’. And what I have learnt in the process of the first learning is that my body had been signalling what was coming for some time, I simply wasn’t listening. But if I stay as present as possible with my body, I know what it is doing in every moment and the possibility of one of those “sudden injuries” is greatly diminished.
I love how you stepped up with the level of commitment that you bring to yourself, ‘In everything we do in life we have a choice. Walking was an area in my life that had the willingness but no commitment. I am committed in most areas of my life so I chose to bring that same level of commitment to walking. ‘
Its difficult for any thoughts to get stuck when walking, and being constantly interrupted by the simple magic of God as you pass through nature. Likewise a conversation can’t help but evolve when walking with another.
Its interesting this ‘shift in mindset’. I have had innumerable ideals that I have been carrying around for a lifetime challenged by studying with Universal Medicine. And then when I experience the alternative and the relationship shifts suddenly a whole different horizon opens up and I am agape at how blinkered I was before.
There is so much joy in committing to ourselves which can take many forms and the ripple effect of this commitment then affects other areas of our life as well and increases the joy. Appreciating how much more committed to life I am since attending Universal Medicine presentations and how much I enjoy the simple things like going for a walk and being with myself without distractions.
Beautiful Tim. There is a joy that comes naturally from feeling our connection to our essence, our Soul as we move. It is my experience that it is also a gorgeous confirmation and honoring of the quality of vibration we are willingly aligning to, in which love is magnified through the body and is why we feel so expansive when we walk and move in connection to our body and being.
Thanks Tim for the many benefits of walking.. when we walk in a way where we’re paying attention to how and what we’re feeling, it’s like we move thoughts and emotions out of the body, and feel so much clearer and sharper as a result – more spacious, more aware, ready for whatever is next.
‘I do it for me and it brings me joy.’ It is the joy of feeling you in your walk, so different from when we walk from A to B to get there. It is the level of care for yourself that makes the body joyful and this naturally expands in a commitment of being you in other area’s of your life.
Yes walking connected with ourselves expands the joy of being in the flow of life and feeling our part in it.
‘I do it for me and it brings me joy.’ When we walk we feel our body and this connection brings us joy, we feel the quality we choose to live and the commitment expanding in all area’s of our life. Walking in that way is so much more than getting the body from A to B.
I am another who loves walking and connecting with myself, how my body is feeling, there is so much this walk brings to our bodies.
The trouble with anything we are pushing to do, whether it be exercise, mowing the lawn etc, is that when we are in this type of energy we are not taking notice of what is happening for our body as our focus is most likely on the outcome. And then when we injure ourselves we wonder how it happened. Anything done in disconnection to our body has a high chance of having an outcome we didn’t originally plan for.
You’re not alone Phil. I remember a time when I drove, to my local swimming pool just round the corner and shops just down the road and then clocked how ridiculous this was. Apart from being with ourselves when we walk, it is also a way of being with our communities, meet people, have conversations or simply acknowledge them as we pass by. Our very presence as we walk can be a blessing to others.
Someone I know has just lost the ability to walk and is mourning the loss. Often it’s only when something is taken away we realise we’ve taken it for granted and failed to appreciate its true value.
A great example of bringing appreciation to everything in life, as we never know when we will ‘lose’ something that we have taken for granted. Taking our precious body for granted can have some dire consequences, but appreciating its ‘true value’ supports us throughout every day of our lives.
I love walking but like you were Tim, from time to time I let go and my commitment dwindles. I have decided even if it is only a walk around the block that is ok, it feels so good just to move the body outdoors into the sunshine. Walking also assists in clearing the body of unwanted energy.
I love that you laugh about your own jokes Tim. I do that sometimes too and I feel it is not so much about the joke itself but being in tune with myself and equally with everybody else. Accepting all and all that is happening in full.
The simple things in life – they are the most supportive.
True Esther and it is only when we get in the way of these simple things life gets complicated.
Walking with another is a way to build intimacy and to deepen the connection you have, it is like it helps to shift things and put everything into perspective more.
A very real and great example of what commitment to just one aspect of one’s life can do, how this attention to detail can change so much… Again, the ripple effect.
The commitment you speak of is like a megaphone… saying be willing to try something different that you know will support you and be open to the fact that you might actually love it.
Connecting to the way I walk has been both revealing and inspiring for me. When I commit to and observe my body in its natural flow I can feel how I align to an ease and natural rhythm that takes me deeper into myself… and at the same time expands my being.
Walking with someone offers loads! Space to talk about great things, space to talk about things between the two, space to talk about the world, and space to just walk together. Its a fantastic way to be together.
My daily commute now involves a 20 min walk across a big bridge, and I love it: I start the day feeling clearer, more energised, and ready for the day, and the walk back again after work is a wind-down, feeling how my day has been, which I equally enjoy. I love how you either talk to your wife or you talk to yourself, working through any issues. There aren’t really any down sides to walking – it supports us on so many levels.
It is interesting to consider our distracting mind that tries to stop us form walking, a way of movement for our bodies that is supportive and very nurturing and is needed on a daily basis.
Awesome Tim.. when you truly feel in your body the benefits of a consistent routine act that it then becomes a part of your loving discipline.
Thank you Tim, it’s interesting about how commitment to one thing like walking flows through and can lead to changes in other parts of life. The more we love and care for ourselves the more we feel supported and held to make other changes where necessary.
Commitment to caring for ourselves in one aspect of our daily life inspires us to be lovingly committed in many other ways.
Like so much of what Universal Medicine presents, this is simplicity itself, and yet the healing that is possible is quite profound..
Walking really does clear the cobwebs from our mind and get us back connected to our body.
I love to walk. Walking supports me to either connect back to myself or to confirm where I am at. It is an essential part of my foundation that brings me so much joy.
‘In the past, whenever things started to get in the way it was very easy to make excuses and give up – a pattern I had for most of my life.’ I guess this is something we all know too well. To commit in one area or more supports to bring it in other areas as eventually when we truly are honest it is about bringing quality in every area of our life, it is all the same, all one.
Commitment is the key to building a consistent rhythm in our lives and although I know that I feel so much better when I walk every day I have recently allowed this to slip but feeling inspired to re-commit to walking daily and feeling how this will support me in all areas of my life.
A 15 minute walk is a brilliant way to begin or end a day, I agree where you say it enables your body to feel lighter and your thoughts clearer, I’d be interested in knowing the exact science of what happens when we walk, but for now I know my body loves it and I know it’s super beneficial to my overall well-being.
How perfect to come back to your inspirational blog today Tim, as I am in the process of settling into a new job and working on a way to fit a walk into my lunch break. But I finally have managed to and even though it’s usually only 15 minutes I can feel the difference it is making to how I feel after sitting most of the morning at my desk. I am loving this 15 minutes for me as it feels so precious and it also gives me the opportunity to be with me and to feel how my body is feeling after the morning’s work; it is always very revealing.
Walking is something most of us all do throughout our day, but how often is that we connect to this movement we are making with our bodies, or that we are present with our walk. Thank you for bringing to our attention that there is much power to bring to our walk and our movements through our connection to our body and being, and the joy that this presence brings. As when it is our being that walks us, it is our light that blesses the Earth.
I’ve been walking to work recently and at first, during the first week, could feel the level of unfitness in my body so I took it gently and walked at a pace my body felt at ease with, no pushing. The following week I could feel my body strengthening and my pace naturally picking up. A few weeks on I now walk at a good pace, still without pushing, my body loves it and I feel so energised, my fitness levels have greatly improved.. plus as your title says I get to experience the Joy of and in walking every day.
That’s lovely Ruth, honouring your body in a step by step process.
‘ I now can feel that my body doesn’t need to be trained hard and that gentle exercise is what is needed.’ What a great awareness to come to Tim, that the body loves and responds to gentle exercise. Your list of benefits show this.
I have struggled with my commitment to exercise over the years particularly since giving up organised sport, something that help me be accountable to something. So now, as I only have myself to rely on and it’s interested to see how much of difference this makes. I agree with you Tim that being committed is greatly assisted by the intention. If I make exercise about losing weight for example, it’s always not long before I fall off the bandwagon getting bored of not seeing immediate results. I’m aware that I need to bring more attention to why exercise will benefit my body. Losing weight can be a by-product, but in order for it to be effortless, I realise that appreciating my body is worth the effort to be nourished through movement, and not having an agenda per se, is a far less goal driven approach which means all I have to do is be with my body when I take it to exercise…no expectations, no need for an outcome.
It is amazing isn’t it … that something just so simple and obvious can revolutionise ones life.
That’s true Chris, we sometimes look at quite outlandish or complicated ways to bring the spark back to life, when it could be quite revolutionary to change some obvious simple things and do so with care and love.
I think many of us are affected by the belief that walking does not offer ‘proper fitness’. The fitness images we see certainly reinforce this, where you have to be sweating and straining to be getting a proper workout. I am really seeing the difference between fitness and health lately, and how fitness does not guarantee health. You may end up with the looks, muscles and cardio capacity you want but the body is not being run in harmony or feeling healthy as a result of this often extreme treatment
Walking is fabulous for our health and wellbeing and every step we commit to supports our next step in building that consistency you speak of Tim.
Wow Tim this really highlights the importance of movement. How huge it is for the body and how it truly supports you. It is amazing to read how walking consistently just simplifies your life.
I feel inspired by your dedication to that consistency. I often wonder why I stop doing something that I know really supports me when I had such a commitment to doing it – such dedication. I can see the focus was not in the right spot, so, inspired by your blog I will start again today without beating myself up!
Consistency is a quality that we find easy to apply to what isn’t good for us (like TV), but not to what brings us real joy and uplifts us. This is something to be deeply pondered, for if truly seen it opens the door to a life well lived.
Regarding walking, you say “I do it for me and it brings me joy.” This is beautiful Tim. I observe that for me, when I am busy, my daily walk is one of the first things to go. I now recognise this is crazy as walking supports me in my daily life. Walking as part of commitment to life – I love this. great to re-read your blog.
I loved reading your blog today Tim, thank you for the inspiration to start walking again.
I too have been on and off with my walking, again lacking in commitment, I realise when I bring commitment to one thing in my life it opens the door to bringing that into others areas also. I do enjoy walking with me, feeling the loveliness in my body, and meeting people on the way.
Consistency is a word that continually is on repeat in my mind. If I consistently do things for me which in turn is for all, there is a connection to my inner most, which makes all I do come with a livingness that is reflected to all.
Simply stunning Tim, same here no walking was my plan and I would calculate how I parked to minimise my walk. Well recently we had to expand our offices into two buildings, one of which is a few blocks away. Anyway I noticed a bit of irritation at then needing to walk between the two buildings but I stopped for a moment to appreciate that how incredible is that time to walk and connect and what a blessing it provides for everyone at our workplace as they go between the buildings.
I love your honesty here Tim. So many of us will pretend that we are committed to exercise but not actually do it. I notice a difference too when I am committed to walking. The way I feel about myself is very different and I have more vitality.
One of the greatest ways, in fact the only way to connect to the fact of fire, is through movement, and this revelation in itself busts the myth that the path to so called wisdom or enlightenment can be connected to by meditating in a cave. The activation of fire, or the light of the Soul that gives one access to what we call great wisdom, actually requires movement. Not just movement, but the right quality of movement. And so, walking, if done in the right quality is actually one of the greatest ways to deepen our connection to the Soul.
One of the things that stands out is the impact walking has had on every part of your life Tim – feeling clearer headed, having different thoughts and also eating differently. I have not found there to be benefit to my overall wellbeing and quality of thoughts when I trained hard at the gym or went running – in fact it was the opposite. I would feel ‘good’ about myself whilst doing the activity but that high would then plummet outside of exercise time, and thus exposing it was not a genuine part of my wellbeing.
I am so glad I read this this morning Tim, For a few years I walked constantly every morning, though recently it has dropped off as I have been leaving for work sometimes before 5am in the morning what I realise is this that if I am unable to walk in the morning I can still walk in the evening, that way I keep my consistency up which leads to all the above benefits you describe Tim.
Doing something that is so ‘basic’ in a sense and understanding that this can bring us such joy… we can reflect and apply this to so much in our lives
Its often the simplest things that benefit us the most, and it doesn’t get much more simple than walking. Clearing the head is such a big part of it for me, as Tim has described, and the very easy flow of walking for health and wellbeing is something I know I also need to fully commit to.
I too had the ingrained pattern that “whenever things started to get in the way it was very easy to make excuses and give up” and I would find every excuse under the sun not to begin again. It was as if, if I didn’t think about it I wouldn’t be able to give myself a hard time which usually included telling myself that I was a failure. It has taken quite some time to realise that giving up and stopping myself from doing something that is actually going to benefit me is very exhausting to my body, whereas making a commitment and moving forward is in the end so much easier and way more enjoyable to do.
Thank you Tim, I love how you have made a commitment to doing something that brings you joy; how self-loving and honouring of yourself.
Its that expression ‘training hard’ that says it all. I used to do it, was incredibly fit as a result (and got injuries all the time), but it was in no way sustainable. Its taken years of re-programming but now my exercise be it walking, swimming or the gym, is something I enjoy enormously, and it supports both my fitness and my wellbeing every day.
I have found by adding walking to my rhythm and making a commitment to keep at it has definitely proved to be a winner in terms of how I sleep and I feel a lot more lightness and ease in my body throughout the day too. Walking is such a brilliant way to bring myself back to my body and how I choose to move and express everyday.
“I do it for me and it brings me joy.” Beautiful Tim. Once we commit to something we may find it brings joy rather than resentment. Once I understand the purpose of something it feels so much easier to commit – and enjoy,
Tim it’s a great topic you have shared about excuses versus commitment, and that it’s not being committed by being hard on ourselves, but through noticing how choices support our lives and wellbeing. In this we are committing to ourselves and it’s not a “have to”. Committing to love and using will power are very different things.
As you say, commitment seemed to have been the missing ingredient in your walking routine in the past. I have just noticed this myself after having been quite slack with walking and going to the gym for a couple of months. It feels great to be back into it and with commitment, I feel a lot stronger and more vital, as though commitment adds a bit of zest to the whole endeavour.
Great sharing Tim, committing to self first and the consistency of it allows us to make supportive changes which are honouring for our bodies, this is not just for the benefit of ourselves but for all others who receive our reflection that there is another way to live and treat our bodies. Thank you Universal Medicine for paving the way for humanity for true health and wellbeing.
Tim Bowyer I enjoyed reading that there is no longer an investment in the walking whether it was to loose weight, get fit but a joy in walking to be with yourself. How great are these words to show others that there is a simple way that celebrates you and brings healthy and vitality back into your life.
Thanks Tim, I love this. I have been struggling with my commitment to walking each day, even when I know how good it makes me feel. There has been an issue around consistency, thinking I have to do a long walk for it to be worthwhile, or that it is my one form of exercise, so therefore needs to be up hill and with some exertion. But reading your blog has allowed me to recalibrate all the ideals and beliefs that I am carrying around walking, which feels really great.
Re reading your blog Tim, I saw the line about walking has made it easier to manage the shift work you do. This would benefit all of us who are doing shift work. I can relate to this as in walking every day without pushing etc but being with my body and myself gives a rhythm that supports working in different hours of the day.
“I decided that this time I would choose to stay committed and when the excuses came knocking I would remember that this is not just about maintaining my walking routine, but it is also about how I used to be. In the past, whenever things started to get in the way it was very easy to make excuses and give up – a pattern I had for most of my life.” Thanks Tim. It’s wonderful to feel what is possible when there is a willingness to commit and also look at what gets in the way if the commitment falters.
True Tim, when I commit to one thing that supports me in how I feel then commitment in other things becomes less of a commitment but just a natural way of being.
I love how things can change in our life not because we force it upon us but we see the purpose and feel the healing benefits in it, and we turn from something we didn’t like at all to truly enjoying it.
The big C word Commitment, this is huge and so essential, ‘ I am committed in most areas of my life so I chose to bring that same level of commitment to walking.’ Awesome Tim.
“What I have also noticed is, that simple choice to be committed to walking has had an effect on all the other areas of my life that I wasn’t totally committed to, like paying more attention to what, when and how much to eat, by expressing more in how I feel and not holding back and overall just having a more positive view of life and a commitment to live life in full.” I have experienced this all the time how one little change consistently in one area then affects everything. It is quite unbelievable until you actually give it a go.
Being consistent with the ways we commit to ourselves can transform a simple act such as walking into the best medicine for our bodies and own evolution.
What a wonderful example of doing something simply for you, not because you should, or for someone else, but because, although you know this is absolutely your time, you know that there will be a ripple effect to all other areas of your life and then on out to those around you; how beautiful is that?
For a guy who has been into the heavy gym work to turn around and say that the gentle approach is far more supportive is huge.
Coming back to this blog it reminded me of the why I choose to go for walks, as you shared here Tim that the gentle approach is so much more supportive than the driving and pushing. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing this Tim, I started walking consistantly about a year ago and have noticed how my body responds to this. There is the physical aspect where I feel fitter and more supple and there is also the side that when I walk I feel more in my body, more connected to me and all that is around me. When I walk with complete openness I feel a sense of oneness with everything. Also if there has been something troubling me the energy seems to shift as I walk, and I notice there is a different outlook on the issue by the time I’m at the end of the walk.
I feel a bit uncomfortable in my body by reading your sharing Tim…I do not like to walk. Or is this just the first illusion? No, after your blog I have to say: I do not commit to walking. I commit to maaany other things and so could say, OK thats my thing instead of walking. But I know, I feel it in my body, that it would be great to walk. So. Why not? When I write this and have a look outside (where I would walk) I feel how I like to avoid the ‘being out there’ for a walk. I am in fact avoiding the reflections and the effects my walk could/would have. … Now I become curious – I will go out and will see what happen. I will observe it. – See you later.
Ok. Back after this short but enlightening walk, I realized that life GOES on! I try to hold back my moving forward by not walking. Now I feel how my blood and energy is circling through my body. I am more alive I would say. More aware as well.
Very interesting experience. Thank you for the inspiration Tim!
I have recently bought a treadmill and the days were I take time in the morning to walk, my days have a different flow, I take less on and have more steadiness. Like you share, I too am learning to stay consistent with this.
Walking is a great healing tool, it’s time for ourself in movement. Which helps to feel our essence and the effect of all that we have put onto this essence to not get hurt. And it is a commitment to this healing that is what is asked from us. We are the only ones that can make the choice.
Tim, I am so utterly inspired by your article. I have been wanting to walk everyday but have not done this for various reasons. I can feel that there are areas of my life that I’m very committed to and that I have not made this same commitment to walking. Thank you for the inspiration.
Wonderful to read about the application of commitment to something as seemingly simple as walking
‘Commitment is not about perfection’, very true Tim and thank you for such a great blog about the joy of walking. Recently I have also committed to walk everyday and enjoying the time being with me, I have noticed my level of commitment has supported me with my shift work and in other areas of my life as well.
Hello Tim and I love the way you write, always so frank. I notice a similar thing of trying to find a park right out the front of a place, it wasn’t as strong as yours but why do we do that? I still notice it now almost like a parking consciousness that tells you, no you need to park closer. Now that I write about it I can laugh because it is funny what we do at certain times and the first part of your blog made me smile because I knew the feeling of what you had written. I really enjoy walking it seems to support so many parts of my life and after reading your blog I want to walk more, thanks Tim.
Time does give us the space to try and experience what the effect of our choices on us is which is amazing if you look at it. To have the space to try things out, say oops that doesn’t work and even if we have to oops many times over the same thing again… in time we will find the love for ourselves to truly make a lasting change.
“I may have been fitter in my ‘pushing’ days but I know I am more aware of my body with this gentler way of exercising.” Yes it is the question if we want to be super fit, maybe even more fit and trained than we need to be for our daily activities, and have to go through a harsh, very unpleasant time whilst pushing ourselves in exercising… or if we like to be constantly with our body and enjoying feeling it and just getting as fit as we need to be for our daily activities by gentle exercise and walking.
Thank you Tim I loved your article, and yes it is all about commitment, I have had a start stop situation with my walking, sometimes leaving it till later on in the day and then not doing it as too many other things get in the way. I am inspired to walk again and this time with commitment.
Walking is one of the most beneficial all round exercises because we can go at our own pace and slowly build up our speed and distance, we can maintain a connection to ourselves and become aware of when we put our body under too much strain.
Tim these words jumped out at me today when I read your blog ‘I remember there were times when I pushed myself to the point of wanting to vomit.’ I remember having friends who would push themselves that hard too, it just goes to show how little connection we have to our body when we can actually push it that hard and not recognise that it is actually passing on a message that enough is enough.
Thank you Tim for a great blog. I have always loved to walk, and enjoy walking even more now, since I came across Universal Medicine and the teachings of Serge Benhayon of the Ancient Wisdom. Having learnt how looking after the health of our bodies is our responsibility, as is the fitness as well. This is also connected to what we eat and our sleeping patterns.
I have just started walking on the treadmill at the gym. Although the environment is not nearly as nice as walking outside I am able to connect to my body in a different way to how I do when I am outside. Because the treadmill is super flat and has rails, I am able to walk with my eyes closed, which I am finding supports me to connect with my body very deeply and to develop a very lovely and harmonious rhythm which I can feel in my whole body.
: I so agree with you Tim, commitment is the key to building consistency and consistency is the key to bringing real change into our lives.
“I do it for me and it brings me joy.” Thank you Tim. A beautiful confirmation of the commitment to self.
Reading this again I really considered the part about pushing myself. I used to find walking boring and would much rather run, but I was always hurting myself running and it was a clear signal not to run, and that walking would give me what I need. I love to walk each day now and it really does clear my head. It is great to look on walking as a part of an everyday routine of self care and commitment to life. I am now not injured all the time, and that is the power for me of walking vs running. I don’t have to worry about not being able to go out because I’m not afflicted by my body breaking down with too much strain.
What you share here about commitment, Tim is priceless and because it comes from your own lived experience, it’s inspiring beyond just the realm of walking as it has relevance to any and every facet of life where we know we’re not living to our true potential.
What you share here about commitment, Tim is priceless and because it comes from your own lived experience, it’s inspiring beyond just the realm of walking as it has relevance to any and every facet of life where we know we’re not living to our true potential.
Thank you Tim for this inspiring blog on walking! I love walking and have done it on and off for years but I do still lack the consistency of it. This blog has been wonderful to read and to hear first hand from you the benefits and the beautiful ways your life has enriched from your commitment to walk for you and for your relationships. Thank you!
Thank you Tim for sharing the importance of commitment. I, too, have found that by committing to one thing then my commitment to other things in my life has also deepened.
Wow Tim your blog inspires me to start to walk. Until now I have not made the experience that walking makes me clearer but I am open to feel what I will discover.
Tim I am so glad I revisited your blog to today, it is the inspiration I need to bring commitment to my walking. I too love to walk and often wonder why the whole day can slip by and still I have not had my walk. Routines have always been difficult for me, something within me rebels, but in truth my body loves a routine, it is my mind that always finds some reason to break it. So in loving commitment to my body I’m walking this morning as the beginning of my new weekend routine.
Had to smile Tim – just the image of you getting irritated about not finding the closest park… its so common. I know I always look for the one that is the closest to where I’m going, and yet imagine if we took it as an opportunity to just allow a bit more space in our lives, an extra moment that we allow ourselves some time to strutt our stuff on a daily basis.
Good point Simon – to see how we limit ourselves with the idea of comfort.
Walking has now become my way back to my connection with myself. As strange as that may sound for some, I am learning and understanding that there is a well established ‘me’ who is naturally aligned to the same harmony as that of all nature and there is the veneer ‘me’ who has added the cladding of protection, ideals and beliefs to hide behind. Walking allows me to move in a way that strips me of my cladding and to feel the power and truth of who I am and the magnificence of my equality with all of nature. It then becomes a choice to reapply my cladding when I am triggered or when I choose irresponsibility not to bring my power and magnificence into the light.
Re-reading your blog Tim, it is clear that the more consistent your walking is, results from your commitment, not your intention or the ideal. Commitment to yourself is the foundation and I can apply walking or any other aspect of my life to that foundation. If there are no solid foundations, what is on top will always be insecure or tentative.
Feeling my feet on the ground and the way my arms naturally swing when I walk is a great way to connect back to me, sometimes I listen to Glorious Music on my head phones when I walk, I love how this music supports me to again connect to my body and reminds me to be present with every beat and with every step.
I love walking and have found in the past 6 months how great walking is when I need time to work through moments in the day where I might feel rushed, anxious, overwhelmed or just feeling great.
When we walk in a certain quality we are confirmed who we are- grace , divine beauty, glory, leader, love in motion .
All these qualities are felt within and emanates without.
It was acceptance, not a need to be perfect, that deepened the appreciation and joy I felt for myself. “- yes, Adele I could relate to you in regards to certain dress.
We have an image of how we should dress fed to us, and when this doesn’t match the image we judge ourselves . However, by deepening our connection to the qualities we innately are we can feel the truth, and we naturally express this outwardly.
Walking is a healing we can freely offer ourselves (and the world) every day. It is one of the things we take for granted yet can be one of the key foundations in our way of being
So true Joshua, we take walking for granted but it’s the HOW we are walking that makes the difference. During the times where I drop my commitment to the walking is when I feel life gets too much and becomes a drag, it is a daily dose of good medicine. My body loves walking and I am enjoying the simplicity of just being with me more and more by making choices such as just going for a walk with me rather than to go somewhere or do something.
Walking is one of the more beneficial things we can do, on so many levels. So simple and very powerful.
“my head was clearer” I can confirm this is true, walking is a great support for clarity and connecting back to the truth in our bodies.
” I remember there were times when I pushed myself to the point of wanting to vomit” It’s crazy I have had someone tell me this, that they’d actually vomited because they had pushed their body so hard in the gym, I have also known of people to break bones when bench pressing too heavy weights, or to continuing lifting weights with broken ribs. Is crazy the lengths we go to, to ‘take care of our body’ when in fact we are abusing it.
I was also one who never walked anywhere, I was like why walk if you have a bike, why cycle if you have a motor bike why use a motorbike in the rain if you have a car. Getting a dog changed all that and now I love walking as it is a great time to check in on how the body feels.
I have found the past few months quite intense and walking has been my best medicine, thanks Tim for highlighting the benefits of walking regularly
Hi Tim, thanks for sharing your challenges around walking. The one thing that will always support you in walking is the marker you can feel in your body. As you shared your struggle with committing, I could hear clearly that your body was communicating with you all the time and the truth was there in your sharing. Walking with awareness is powerful in its capacity to heal and bring clarity. Sometimes when something comes up for me I walk gently in anti-clockwise circles in the space within my home and find that what needs to be exposed unfolds. Great article, thanks Tim.
Tim I have been aware for a while that I don’t always treat walking in the shopping centre in the same way as I do ‘going for a walk’. When I ‘go for a walk’ I am much more connected to my body and yet when I walk at the shopping centre I am not nearly as connected. The way that my mind categorizes the two different activities results in them being two very different experiences.
Good point Alexsi, I recently discovered I was doing the same i.e whilst at work my mind was too concerned with where I had to be at a certain time and whilst on my daily walks I felt appreciative of giving myself this time – two totally different experiences.
Walking is proving to be a great medicine for me right now. I love walking home after work. Even when I am feeling tired, walking with awareness rejuvenates me and brings me back to myself.
I love walking with somebody else and more often now, I plan walking dates. It is a great way to spend time together, to talk about life and what is going on, and it deepens the relationship between people as the bodies are moving. It’s like you do a dance together. If you have an argument, go for a walk I would say!
Wonderful sharing Tim. I realize the same like you, walking is such a joy for me, to walk me, to be with nature and to enjoy everything around me. Walking gives me a lot of clarity and a great expression of me in the world. The way I walk is a great reflection of how am I with myself at any given point in time. The body can’t lie.
Thank you Tim, for your honesty about how it is for you with your walking. I have always loved walking ! After reading your blog I’ve realised I haven’t been appreciating my commitment to walking even though I walk every day. Yes I love walking and yet the appreciation is not there enough. Thank you for helping me to gain a deeper insight.
I have a dog, he is a strong Siberian Husky, I walk with him everyday but recently I realised something, that walking with him is very different to walking with my husband and different again when I have my 5 children with me. I came to notice this difference through the support of a Universal Medicine presentation. My new challenge now is to walk the dog but then make sure we do another lap for just me and my husband, its extra work and if my husband is not home I don’t do it for myself yet but it is worth it. A dog requires attention and it also walks at a faster pace than I would naturally. To stop the dog from pulling on the lead and to remain in charge takes focus and dedication, this leaves very little time to just chat and feel what might be there in my body without distractions. I am so glad that we have family time, dog time and couples time on our walks now, the me time I have not quite got to yet. Thanks Tim for the great blog, very inspiring.
As I return to read your awesome sharing again today Tim, it just highlights how the word appreciation comes to mind. Yes I do sometimes take for granted the wonderful walks that I take out in the most scenic countryside with nature. The benefits that I gain within my body are truly felt and a deeper connection to all those moving parts that are the bearers of my day and night. Reading your words “I do it for me and it brings me joy”. So thank you Tim as I sit here in appreciation of your sharing and the remarkable gift that nature provides for us ‘all’ to benefit and the joy that it brings.
I love walking too and it supports me in so many ways aside from my fitness levels. Today I walked home from work and I felt a bit tensed and tired, actually wanting to take the bus but it would only be there a lot later so I decided to walk. I first walked so fast as if I wanted to get over with it as soon as possible but this made me feel even more tensed. I decided to walk a bit more slow and in the rhythm I normally walk in and love to walk in. After a couple of meters I started to feel the difference in my body, my feet and legs were warming up and the tension in my lower back lessened and later was replaced by a lovely warmth as well. I have noticed this before and I love this about walking, it can really shift the energy I am in when I choose to walk in a loving gentle way.
Well said Lieke, I have found walking such a great way to get back to the real me, throughout our day we may be presented with all sorts of intense situations (noticeably so working in health care) and it amazes me how going for a simple walk can help clear the heavy feelings that may have accumulated during the day.
I love that your consistency and naturally supportive walking rhythm has come from your relationship with yourself Tim, not from pictures of what you should be doing or what is put before you as ideal. You have felt the lived experience of walking and how it truly supports you.
Thank you Tim, I really enjoyed reading your blog, what really stood out for me was the word commitment, I love to walk but at times things come up and I put off walking, I realise my level of commitment is lacking and also the consistency. From to day, I am recommitted to walking everyday, even if all I can manage is 10 minutes.
Commitment brings such an enormous difference to the quality we do everyday. Walking everyday is a beautiful opportunity to reconnect to who I am and feel how I have been during the day, it is very healing and enjoyable.
Agreed Benkt commitment does bring an huge difference to our lives. I love this audio on Universal Medicine about penguins and commitment it’s just awesome, I could listen to it over and over again! http://www.unimedliving.com/voice/audio-of-the-month/the-ultimate-commitment-to-life.html
Great blog Tim. I have slackened off my walking over the past few weeks and I have really missed it.
I will, from your beautiful inspiration, start once again this morning. Commitment is a funny thing and something that is there as much as you want it or choose it to be.
I was reminded a couple of days ago of how even doing 10 minutes of walking with ourselves can be very confirming and informative of how you have been travelling that day. So I decided to take myself on a 10 minute walk with me, and it was amazing how in such a short time, I was feeling really lovely and enjoying walking with me and feeling a bit of tension here and there at the start but that was gone by the end. A very short but simple and loving choice for myself.
Yes Julie walking is very effective for stress releif,relaxation and exercise
Commitment to walking the Joy with You is the only way that we can ever truly commit to walking and not find it a seeming chore, ‘have to’ or justify it with the need for exercise etc. In the end, the quality is what allows us to commit, truly commit and fully enjoy what walking is truly about.
What I have found Tim, is that not only making the commitment to walking, but also committing to how I walk, seem to be key. I can walk as a chore or a need when I do this my interest and stamina drop.
From this blog I can see that there is a level of commitment to life that is possible, simple and available each day, and what this commitment looks like or how it is expressed is different for everyone.
Yes Shami, Agree. It is the commitment that makes all the difference.. A commitment to the beauty and gorgeous self, to love, to love of the self.. to self care that does make all the difference.
I really appreciate your sharing this, Tim. For the past week or so, every now and then I have been getting an impulse to just go out and have a walk – even jut for 5 minutes round the block. There’s something about walking that feels very confirming of who I am, and I am beginning to appreciate it just as a movement in which I simply carry my body.
“I do it for me and it brings me joy.” I love to walk too. It always allows for a greater clarity throughout my day and I love walking in nature and seeing the trees, flowers bloom and insects fly by.
I had a recent admission to hospital and was confined to my room. Even feeling as unwell as I did, I would get up and walk around my bed (this was at 2am). It was my walk, there was no sounds of nature, no fresh air on my face, just the sound of my intravenous pump, but I had me, my connection and the love that I know was there. It was only about ten steps but I could feel my feet on the floor and know that no matter what, I am a Son of God. I made this my daily walk and made every step count.
I have enjoyed reading your blog several times Tim. It is amazing the sense that develops in the body with commitment and consistency. I have never been too strong on either. Since being engaged with Universal Medicine I have slowly been able to commit and am currently building consistency. I can now say that from the outside I could be seen as a pretty (lovingly) disciplined person, something I would have been amazed at some years ago as I just would not have been able to sustain many of the things I do now naturally daily. It is down to the amazing support offered through Universal Medicine which has empowered me to make supportive choices.
Walking brings me much pleasure on a physical level yes, but also on an energetic level. The changes I feel when I am walking regularly are palpable and I wonder how I could ever not be consistent with my walking. Still, I have that beautiful marker inside me and so the activity of being consistent is only a choice away.
I have found by building a daily walk into my rhythm that my body now lets me know when to go and I am learning to just stop what I am doing, knowing I can get back to it when I return, and just go for a walk with my body. I feel it now if I miss a day and so I make sure that I follow the impulse.
I love your blog Tim and I love walking! the fresh air on my face the feeling of my feet on the ground and the early morning crispness – it is divine. I find this a awesome time for me to connect to me and bring purpose into my day.
Recently I’ve been finding that I feel quite out of rhythm with my body if my walk is not in synch with the rhythm of love that pulsing from my inner heart. If I don’t align to it, it feels careless. Rather than have my walk be dominated by thoughts of being some place at some time, being commanded to walk with the love my heart feels natural and purposeful. It does take some getting used to stay in my body rather than my head when I walk.
Your commitment to walking is a commitment to you and to life as this so clearly benefits you.
Committing to what we feel is truly supporting us and staying with it is the key in committing to ourselves.
Yesterday I started thinking that the answer to all aspects of my current challenges will come down to consistency, whether it is at work, with food, with relationships, exercise … everything basically. Your blog really confirms the power of consistency to me. Thanks for sharing Tim.
Inspired by this blog I set out to make sure I walked yesterday. I had a full day and the first opportunity I had to consider it was close to 8 pm, it was cold and dark and I was tired. I could have found every reason under the sun or should I say glorious full moon not to go but I realised this was a line in the sand. What was I going to choose? I went and I am so pleased I did. I spent my time appreciating what I had chosen and marvelling at the beauty of the night which I felt was inside me as much as out there…we were amazing together 🙂 and I was inspired by the stillness in nature. Yes there was nightime activity, but it let me be, it did not pull me to engage. Thank you Timand all those who took time to comment. Your sharing and inspiration inspired me.
“The Joy of Walking – From Someone Who Didn’t Even Want to Walk to the Car” – The title is a show stopper in itself.
Wow Tim, here I was reading your blog thinking it was all about walking and how supportive it can be for us (I love it also), only to discover that the true message and what your writing here is all about is ‘Commitment”. I really felt the power of this and for what I could feel for myself, and relate to with other areas of my life where my commitment has stop started time again, your tale was very inspiring. Thank you!
“In everything we do in life we have a choice” So true Tim and when choose to deepen our commitment = magic happens. Thank you for sharing how commitment has greatly improved you way of being.
Great blog about walking Tim. I have always loved walking and has been something I have done since I was little. I know how it can help me if I am in a bad mood or if something is bothering me. I know how good it is if I am just feeling a bit tired as it actually revitalizes me. I may have done it for fitness at some points in my life but mostly just because I enjoy it.
Tim I love how you have seen that with developing your commitment to walking, it has helped you develop your commitment in other areas of your life. I love to write everyday and the more that I have committed to make time for that first and foremost, it too has had an effect on other areas of my life. Instead of putting other things more important or making excuses I now know what is important for me and how much an effect that has on everything I do. In choosing these things for myself, it is another level of self love in a way because I am making sure I don’t get overridden.
I absolutely love, love, love this blog Tim. Thank you.
“Commitment is not about perfection.” Haha – this is perfect Tim! Let me explain – The river Thames is very close to our home and I absolutely love going for a walk along the river path. Lately I haven’t been so much and have been feeling bad about it but as I was walking home today along the river today, all I could feel was appreciation for what has been offered to me by way of support by having the river so close. Then the thoughts of ‘you have to start walking every day’ came up, closely followed by ‘yeah but you’ve tried that before and failed so what’s the point’. And there it is! Perfection in all it’s curmudgeonly, party-pooping-ness. Perfection stops us from even trying sometimes because “let’s face it, if I can’t be perfect at it and live up to the picture of how it’s supposed to be, then quite frankly, what’s the point in even trying.”!!! I cannot even remember all the times I’ve given up something because of a fear of mucking it up in some way – not being perfect at it. So, as I was walking along today I could feel how it didn’t matter if I couldn’t do it EVERY day (this is the perfect picture I have in my head) so long as I make a commitment to walk. I love walking and feel instant connection with myself from seeing the reflection of nature all around me, and so to honour this committing to going for a walk – even once – is going to be nothing but healing and joyful for me. Baby steps. We all have to start somewhere and there is no point trying to run before we can walk.
I too have always found walking to be an awesome time to talk through issues. The benefits of walking regularly are profound and healing on so many levels.
Another gem from Tim, I have come to realise you are my mentor as well!!! I have not found myself being able to be consistent with walking and exercise, something always gets in the way and yet there are other areas in my life that I am building consistency and I am feeling an enormous difference. It is something I can feel my body is yearning for, so this morning I will do it and I will find the right rhythm to ensure I keep that up. I am not sure at this moment how, but it sounds like you started simply with a choice to connect with how it felt in your body and the knowing of how your body felt with that consistency and that is what I need to build.
Walking is now second nature something I do without thinking it is of vital importance to me. I want to appreciate that and now deepen this to other areas of my life, like being deeply caring and tender with myself.
Tim it is great to expand on the loving will to do things for ourselves that actually our bodies love. I am yet to arrive at the place where this is a natural expression for me as I still chose things that make my body feel awful. It is bemusing and sad that this game plays out rather than the beautiful commitment to consistency that you have shared and it is inspiring to re read this blog.
I used to do a LOT of walking, Speed walking around the village where I lived, taking myself off on 9 miles hikes across the countryside and pushing myself on the treadmill, usually to the rhythm of some hardcore pop music. All totally disregarding of how my feet or hips felt in the process. All this to keep my weight down and distract myself from boredom. I have always enjoyed walking but now I take myself on shorter walks, more gentle and honouring of myself, just for the joy of being with myself and this is worth one hundred times more than pounding my feet on the treadmill 🙂
A friend was talking to me about education and sharing how we are educated in a way to achieve outcomes, perform and be constantly trying to prove ourselves always looking outside thinking we need to get somewhere and then measuring this on a very lineal line and this is what we then take into life and it’s like we are constantly setting goals and measuring ourselves or comparing to others and it is this that can interfere with our connection to what’s needed and how to work with and support our bodies.
‘If, for any reason, my sole intent is to train hard, I am not going to listen to my body when it is telling me it has had enough, and then unsurprisingly, I end up with a ‘sudden’ injury’ This is such a great comment Tim and one that anyone who trains hard should consider. Working as a physio I have recently treated some quite serious injuries caused through people training hard. They often say, ‘I knew it was too much for my body, but I didn’t listen!’
” I don’t do it because I should, I don’t do it to get fit, I don’t do it for anyone else. I do it for me and it brings me joy.” Tim this is so good, you totally claim it here. You walking with and for you, what great purpose, your joy confirms that.
Yesterday I went for my first walk for about five or six days. There are zillions of practical reason why I hadn’t walked, but they are all, every single one of them, excuses. A daily choice not to be with me. A daily choice not to commit to my rhythm. A daily choice not to support myself and my evolution. There are no two ways about it. And then I walked. And the joy and appreciation that flooded my body was astonishing; making the choice not to walk all the more exposing – why on earth, would I reject such a golden gift – that’s a different conversation – the point is that walking is a rock for me.
Awesome Otto. This is exactly how I feel about walking.
Otto, I have also made all the excuses under the sun to not walk but at the end of the day I am not the only one that misses out if I don’t walk, everyone in my life does, as I live in a different quality when I walk daily.
Even before I have put one foot in front of another, I love my walk because, for me, it is such a huge commitment to my self and to my own appreciation. Way too easily do I let my day run away with the everything that there is to do. So just the very act of choosing to take ten minutes for myself is a stunningly powerful foundation.
Making walking a regular part of my daily routine has altered how I feel about life…”What I have also noticed is, that simple choice to be committed to walking has had an effect on all the other areas of my life…” It has brought a clarity and commitment in other areas of life and has deepened my connection with my own body. I feel that it is an activity that supports the foundation from which I live. To walk is a true joy!
Tim, you have highlighted some great benefits from walking that are not so obvious. In fact I have never heard anyone else attribute walking to support with, helping someone move through their issues, less judgment and a more balanced view on life, and greater self-understanding of one’s choices and why they have been made. That is pretty impressive and if the sheer joy of walking is not enough then these extras could be an encouragement to put on the walking shoes and stay consistent with it. Definitely would save money on psychologists and counsellors I reckon.
So well expressed Josephine! The list you mention here I would not necessarily have associated with walking, however I can feel everyone of them true for me in relation to walking, especially moving through issues. Truth settles in my body when I walk. Thank you for this expanded perspective.
Thank you for sharing Tim. It is inspiring to read how much going for a daily walk has impacted on your life. I know whenever I go for a walk, I feel so much better and sleep waking more refreshed. For me walking allows me to process and let go of the day and things I have taken on often without realising. It gives me a bit of me time as well which I love.
“In everything we do in life we have a choice. Walking was an area in my life that had the willingness but no commitment. I am committed in most areas of my life so I chose to bring that same level of commitment to walking”
Commitment is certainly the key Tim; what you have presented here is a wonderful example of bring commitment to whatever we do in life.
After reading your blog I am questioning my commitment to several areas of my life; much to ponder on and take responsibility for.
Great blog and a great reminder of the difference between willingness and commitment. Walking is something that I know is essential to my every day and a very important part of my foundation. Recently I was unable to walk for a few weeks due to a health issue. I noticed how much it affected all areas of my life. It is not just about the exercise which of course if very supportive, it is about the consistency and as one area dropped off I noticed it trying to creep in to other areas. For me my commitment and consistency with walking allows me to bring this to all areas of my life.
Walking is deeply healing and connecting for me also Tim,
However I too has struggled to fully commit and reading your blog has inspired me to be more consistent within myself and my relationship with walking.
I have found it also a wonderful way to build relationship. When I walk alone I connect with myself and God. When I walk with my children, dogs and friends I build our relationship and connect both with myself and the other.
Great blog Tim, I feel inspired to stop reading and go for my walk right now, thank you.
Ha ha Victoria – love this, what a great blog when so many feel so inspired by it!
I absolutely love walking, by myself but also with others. It is a great way to connect, to chat, to catch up, or to just walk side by side and be silent. I actually have written down on my online dating profile that in a case of a date, the first date will be a walk!
It is great Mariette it is something I love to do with my family every day and we are super lucky to be near an ancient forest with a lake so having the two makes summer morning walks super loving and special appreciation of nature and myself.
I can recommend a walk for the first date and walks for the subsequent dates too! My partner and my first date was a beachside walk and it certainly worked for us as a way to facilitate and build our connection. Plus I reckon we cleared a lot of stuff on those first few walks.
I love how you say ‘commitment is not about perfection’, I feel we can get caught up in….oh i haven’t walked the same amount or as far today, or I don’t have time to do 40 mins, so I won’t go at all. These are some of the things I say to myself, yet, committing to me, the time and distance become more irrelevant. This feels a lot more supportive and loving.
The power of walking is quite extraordinary and yet as you said it is so easy for life to get in the way and for the walk to be first to be sacrificed when looking for some extra time. I love that you dedicated yourself again to this and are reaping the benefits of that commitment in other areas of your life as well. The ripple affect from such a simple activity is truly remarkable.
Its one (great) thing to make choices that support our wellbeing, its a whole other to really appreciate we do that. The appreciation solidifies the care being taken, expanding the choice for more again.
This is so true Tim, “I do it for me and it brings me joy.” Joy and an ease of doing just naturally result from lovingly being present with ourselves in whatever we are doing.
I agree Rosemary there is such a huge difference between doing something because it brings joy and doing something for an outcome like getting fit etc..
Commitment is a key word here. We can be willing, but true commitment starts with a choice, just like you say and show us in your blog. And then it is the honesty I found to tackle the excuses which come around. Then it is again the choice by confirming it that deepens the commitment. Reading this blog made me realize that yes I walk, but it is not a committed walk. So thanks Tim, I will start after this blog with an everyday walk.
I agree Tim it is all about commitment. My body loves it when I commit, it is like it has been waiting for me to get to that point of commitment for a very long time. The more I commit to my body the more it shows its appreciation back to me.
Yes Elizabeth Dolan, my body loves it when I commit also. All of that lovely orderliness and rhythm within commitment, just gives your body that gorgeous fiery feeling, doesn’t it?
Yes Elizabeth I have found the same, my body loves commitment and consistency, it responds with a greater sense of wellbeing. I find I have a whole different foundation for my life and each day.
Committing to what is truly supportive for us is so important, as it reflects the worth and appreciation we are giving to ourselves. By loving ourselves and making the commitment to care for ourselves we set the foundation for being able to truly care for others as well.
Your blog is inspiring Tim. I went for a walk this morning and really enjoyed this walk with me. I didn’t take the dog or asked anyone to come with me. I felt the walk was very supportive and I felt I connected and confirmed my appreciation of myself. I was reflective on the happenings of late and I reflected on the big picture of me in my life. Another aspect that was beautiful this morning was greeting and being greeted by others on their walks too.
I love this line – “I do it for me and it brings me joy”. Well said and I could feel the solidness and the joy in which this was written.
And it is only when I really connect to ‘doing it for me’ that my walking has its full consistency and power. In fact my walking isn’t even for exercise (I do different things for that). My walking is purely and only for me to be with me – which perfectly explains why I often find it difficult to do!
Tim this is so inspiring, I am going to bring much more consistency to my daily walking.
This is great to read Tim, for you are simply observing your own experiences and saying a committed ‘yes’ to that which feels great. I too have started walking regularly and have noticed the absolute definite meditative and supportive nature of dedicating time for a walk to myself. It’s a simple way to establish a lovely period of time for my own enjoyment, it builds presence in the body and often I find I bring this into my next day when I’m walking too and fro for work.
Hello Tim Bowyer and great blog thank you. I like that you have mentioned you now have a marker or a ‘reference point’ in your body from walking and no walking, “Only time will tell if I maintain this consistency but this level of commitment feels very strong for me now and because twice now, I have felt the difference in me when I started to walk again and really enjoyed it, I now have a reference point that I can feel in my body that will help me stay on track.” It’s great to appreciate and see this, it’s like a reminder to you of how something feels and from there the choice is yours. Thanks again Tim.
Thank you Tim, as a man I have found walking to be supportive for my fitness, and something that I really enjoy doing as it creates such a flow and deep connection to my body and where I am at compared to how I exercised years ago when it was all about intensity and could never walk, it was always either running or sprinting even if my body was screaming to stop I was so identified with the way a fit body should look like that I chose to ignore it and harden in that process. I now walk and feel the stillness and tenderness within me, it’s awesome!
Walking me has been the best way to re-connect with my body, the more I commit to walk with this purpose the more light I have been able to bring to different areas of my life that I previously did not want to know about. I feel that a lot has changed as I now can bring that same quality that I feel in my body when I walk to everything I do on a daily basis.
I too love walking and simply being with me. At times when I walk I am on the phone to some-one, often when this is the case, I do not benefit as much from my walk as when I am giving my self this time to be with me in nature, connecting in and pondering on matters that may need to be considered. Being some-one that needs to deepen her connection with God walking is the perfect opportunity to do this
I love walking with me as well Mary-Louise, and when I take a phone call during my walk I feel like I’m missing out on playtime with me. I miss seeing all the beautiful reflections from nature and I don’t feel my feet touching the ground. Now if I need to take a call I either stop and stand still while I’m talking or let the person know I will call them back.
All phones must be switched off during walks!! In fact don’t even take it with you! I have felt this so strongly – even having it in my back pocket changes the walk. My best walks start with me leaving my phone on the table before I walk out the door. A small but very powerful commitment to being with me.
This is true Otto, there is a very different quality to a walk when done without the phone. A greater freedom and commitment to connect with oneself, with nature and everything around.
Otto, to phone or not to phone, that is the question, one I have struggled with on my walks. I may try leave it on the kitchen bench today, my excuse for taking it is so I have the time, might be time to buy a watch so cant use that as an excuse.
This is great Tim Bowyer, it totally got me, as I can feel that I have slipped away from the true benefits walking has for me on a daily basis, and have dropped it quiet often. I can feel how much I actually enjoy walking on my own or together. You remind me that I should go walk again everyday and take the same commitment to this area in my life. I know I can do so, and I will & do!I
It is great to read of someones appreciation of walking, as you say “The joy of walking”. I find it so supportive to walk, I often call it walking with me and walking my way back to me. It feels like as I walk I reconnect with what is within rather than what is outside of me.
Hello Samantha Davidson and I agree. There is a real power in consistently walking. It is like you know yourself from the way you walk and at any time if ‘that’ walk changes you know things aren’t right. You set up a ‘footprint’ for yourself to return to, a reminder and as you say, “I walk I reconnect with what is within rather than what is outside of me.”
Samantha you have me appreciating that today I got to walk with myself first and then I met my husband and we walked together. I connected to the relationship I have with myself and then got to deepen the relationship I have with my husband.
I know what you mean Samantha, if there is anything I’ve been anxious about before going for a walk it dissipates and becomes clearer by the time I’ve finished walking with me or my family. I can feel a walk coming on after dinner.
Love your blog Tim. I too would never walk anywhere. At University I would take my car, parked outside the English Department where I worked, and drive up to the library. It was only a five minute walk and through lovely gardens and little hidden fountains. It stuns me now when I think of how I was! Now I love a walk. After a few hours on the computer, especially at the weekend, there comes a point when I must move my body and breathe in fresh air and enjoy the scents of nature, so I put on my gum boots (in winter) and walk down my track, over the little stream and up the road past the pond where the ducks congregate and the wild raspberries grow. It feels good.
I love what you have shared here Lyndy Summerhaze as I would do the opposite. Walk everywhere and all for the sake of keeping fit and pleasing the image that I had and everyone else had of the super fit woman I was. What I have enjoyed reading in this blog is how Tim Bowyer has shared that he now walks for himself and no one else. I have made this change too and now I am walking less but the quality in which I do it, is celebrating me and nothing else!
‘ I mean, what’s the point of driving if you then have to walk a couple of hundred yards!!’
I remember this but now thoroughly enjoy my walks too. I too have had a yoyo relationship with walking but your blog here Tim is inspiring me to look at that. For me the pay off of consistent walking is always a very restful night’s sleep.
What strikes me today Tim is that I would avoid walking because I wanted to avoid me. I would have “no time” to walk and would rush/park closer simply because I would think other things were more important. Take going to a meeting at work, its half a mile or a mile away (and its not raining) the first thing that comes up is either can I be bothered to walk or if I don’t walk I go fit more stuff in. Yesterday I walked to the meeting and really enjoyed it, I arrived refreshed and got to feel a whole different area of the city I would not have experienced before. But more importantly walking and enjoying the walking meant everything flowed easily and I felt more alive in my body. The space walking creates is quite incredible.
Thats beautiful David. I love the moments where consider trying something different and we are pleasantly surprised with the spaciousness that this brings to our day. I am always amazed.
Walking has always been an important part of my life. When was the last time you were a passenger in your our car? There is so much you miss from experiencing by driving. How much of other parts of our life’s are we in our head doing what has to be done and miss out on what surrounds us? This is why I walk everyday to bring me back to myself; like the U.S. post mans motto neither snow, rain, heat or gloom of night… I will walk.
The enormity of Joy that I feel when I walk just can’t be contained. It comes out of every cell. I have been walking every day and exploring this commitment for myself. I am astounded at the benefits and connection this has developed. Every time I walk now It is about that quality of being and it has helped me greatly in all forms of life. I have realised that no area of my life is separate to another, they are all connected. So When I am committed in one area, I feel I am helping myself to commit in all areas. What could that truly be like If I was constantly lifting the game in all areas of my life?
What you speak of Harrison is real Evolution and I can feel the love and joy in your writing – very inspiring.
Even though I love walking, I find it’s the first casualty in a busy day, when there is a lot of work, study, exams, projects – walking always is last on the list and never makes it up. And yet walking is probably the one thing that is most essential to be able to cope with those other things. So to understand why it is the most neglected part of my day, and also the most sabotaging, I have to look at a deeper level of commitment, it is not just committing to walking but committing to developing a way of being in the world, committing to a rhythm that supports me to be more aware, to developing a light clear body that is able to be more present, more engaged and better able to deal with all the challenges life brings. And then I can start to understand how in letting walking slide, is a way of saying yes to a denser and less clear way of living – and in that is a hidden form of comfort – and not saying yes to the greater form of service we can be.
With my work I have the opportunity to walk quite a lot through my day and the difference of my walk when I am walking with me to not, is so very different. When I am walking outside with the children and I notice that I am walking from my duty or thinking ahead of myself, my body and steps feel quite hard, but when I am present with myself and I can feel this, the choice to walk with tenderness and grace, instantly changes how my whole body feels and there is an aliveness and rhythm that bursts forth within me that is so lovely to feel.
I love the connection to nature walking brings, not only seeing but feeling what is true around me that is also equal to me. I’ve always enjoyed going for a walk on my own or with others but have of late so enjoyed taking me for a walk and feeling present throughout my whole body, not in my head but feeling the ease and grace within and the beauty in each step. It’s a joy to behold and is so nourishing. Having this as a marker in my body if I now walk in my house, to my car, anywhere, if I don’t feel this I know instantly something’s up. I don’t walk regularly although I walk a lot throughout my day but reading this Tim I feel inspired to committing to walking a little more, to see how this may impact on my life as it has yours. Thank you.
I find walking to be the most natural, effort free way to relax and connect back to myself. It’s amazing how much stress and tension can be released just by going for a simple walk.
So true Joe and it can be done at anytime, anywhere and costs nothing.
To simply walk, not for a dog, or a partner but simply for ourselves is a very supportive thing to do, I have recently committed to walking every day and I can feel a difference from making this commitment. It is something that helps to reset the body when there is stress or tension or racy thoughts, and my primary motivation is not fitness but overall wellbeing. Clearing the head is for me a big part of the fitness I need to live everyday.
Very true Stephen. Clearing the head is a big part of fitness for me too.
Tim, I think you have unveiled one of the great untruths around exercise in your blog when you said that you always considered exercise to be going to the gym and pushing yourself hard. I used to be like that too, thinking I had to do an hour of aerobics for it to be ‘exercising’. This misconception alone has been enough to put a lot of people off exercising whose health would benefit so much from it. If you are feeling unfit and sluggish why would you want to push yourself in this way? It feels extreme and too hard, so we give up before we even start. Walking is such a great way to exercise, if you walk feeling your movements and enjoy your body, rather than pushing to lose weight or get fit.
You are absolutely right here Tim, it all boils down to commitment. Like you I was never a walker but getting a dog nine years ago changed all that and a daily walk has been the thing in life I have been able to commit to more than anything else. The weather has to be pretty bad for us not to get out in it and enjoy what ever there is to see and feel.
How awesome Tim. Thank you for sharing how much you get out of walking and committing to it, which is committing to yourself. Obviously walking is amazing, I know I love it.
I agree Tim, the benefits of daily walking are so huge. I love walking now as well, it is such a joy to feel my body.
A very inspiring story. Walking is something my body is asking for more of. it is time I listened.
The gentleness of the walk giving you permission to feel your body, and watching like a flower as this opens up to the rest of your way. It’s an amazing recount of just how true it is that when you commit to allowing your body to be in a gentle action that you feel the “whole” of you and that this inspires a consistency throughout all you do. Such a lot to be inspired here Tim, thank you.
Beautiful blog Tim I love rereading it and feeling the joy you have found from simply walking and loving yourself for the sake of it . I love walking so much and it is an amazing support to my life and very much part of it.Thank you for sharing this gold.
This has made me realise that I haven’t been outdoors all day and that it would be lovely to go for a walk. My legs and my shoulders have been telling me so for a little while now and I have been ignoring them. Not very loving. So I am going to go right now. Thanks Tim.
Susan so many people don’t walk or exercise if they think that there’s not enough time to ‘do it properly’ but I agree with you 15 minutes can make a huge difference and is very manageable for most of us.
Making exercise about enjoying being with our bodies takes any expectation out of the equation and brings immediate reward. This depends of course on the interpretation of enjoyment – I can be in tension and even pain, and actually enjoy being with my body if I simply appreciate how holding connection without any agenda offers healing. This highlights the importance of the practice of Esoteric Yoga, because it cuts all agendas and is about simply being with ourselves. This is an amazing place from which to then embark on the most basic of movement, let alone exercise.
This has been great to read Tim and clock in myself how much I love to walk – yet have not raised the bar on commitment to this activity as an absolute support of my whole body and mind. I realise that I still ‘think’ of it as an activity that I need to do to tick a box of being balanced in life yet if there is no true commitment, this in itself does not work, the walks dry up so to speak. Thank you for inspiring me back out into the world, to walk and feel me and appreciate the love that I am.
Thanks Tim for sharing this great blog , how simple it is to go for a walk for 10 – 15 minutes with our self and the benefits are life changing , why wouldn’t I walk in fact I will go for a walk right now , thank you Tim for your inspiration.
Hello Paul Moses and I will be interested to hear if you did go for a “walk right now”? Walking is simple, you don’t need apply for it online or queue up to get it. This is something you can ‘simply’ do for yourself and from this blog and comments you can see men and women from all walks of life, ages and countries universally agree on the benefits to their overall wellbeing from merely consistently walking. Walking is the new trend and thank you Paul, enjoy the walk.
Love your point Paul Moses and Raymond Karam, I never thought about how easy it is to get a walk. Funnily enough it often feels out of reach for me due to lack of time, like this morning, I really want a walk but time is simply running out. I know if I commit in a deeper way to walking, like what has been outlined in this blog it will bring change with this “not fitting it in” excuse..
I totally agree Tim – I have experienced the benefits of walking regularly and also the drop in commitment. Thanks for sharing how you overcame that ‘on and off again’ mentality.
This blog has truly inspired me, Tim – I’m now walking regularly each day – thank you!
I find this too Fiona. Sometimes at school when everything is just a bit intense with lessons, pressures from the teachers, pressure from friends etc., I just take myself off at lunch or break for a little solo-stroll around the school. It’s super refreshing, and a great way to clear my mind.
I always loved walking. My favourite was walking in German forests. Now, living in Australia, I love walking on the beach and in the rainforest, in nature. Living in suburbia now since a little while I find it is beautiful to walk anywhere. That it is not about where I walk but how. I now focus not on the environment while I walk but on my body, really feel every part of it or focus on a specific area like the feet touching the ground gently. It is beautiful to be totally present with me and my body. And that is a great practice to be present in my body in all I do.
I feel like you hit the nail on the head Tim, with your observation that the key to making walking something that has truly supported you was consistency. I love the way you share your experience with walking in such an open and honest ‘down-to-earth’ way that everyone can relate to. I also know that when I started committing to walking every day by myself about 3 months ago, it has had amazing results in helping me stay focussed and present, less likely to react to difficult situations, and has made me feel physically fit without the past punishing of my body through endurance training for marathons and triathlons. It still amazes me how great I can feel after just walking for 10 or 15min. everyday in a way that just focuses on how my body feels during the walk and not letting the usual thoughts about the past or what I need to do in the future to get in the way of feeling me. Walking in this way has really assisted in staying present at work too, and not getting so stressed out about what needs to be done. So as you’ve shown in your blog Tim, walking consistently is like a real medicine for our body.
Hi Tim, I have just come back from a walk and was thinking about how I used to push myself so hard when walking or running, always setting goals to get fit. I felt no joy in this, maybe a sense of achievement at the end but mainly relief that the walk was over. Today, like you I felt such joy from walking – no pushing, no drive, simply walking from a lovely connection to myself.
Since reading your blog I am more aware of the way I am walking and I do not stop before I can feel my rythm which is supporting the connection to myself during my walk. Thank you Tim.
Thank you Tim, I am re-inspired to start walking regularly again after reading your blog. It is true, commitment is the key to sustaining it year in and year out and I have also always found the benefits to extend well beyond physical wellbeing.
Awesome blog, Tim. Very clear and truly inspiring to the commitment for walking and all the benefits you take out of that. For my sake, I have a dog, so walking is a daily routine. But I have to reconsider the quality and intention how I do it. For when the dog is not with me, I often dismiss a walk in the nature and that does not feel good in my body and mind.
Also I can confirm that things to be discussed are much easier to resolve by walking with each other.
I love your story Tim, and I love that you don’t walk to get fit or to lose weight or because anyone else said you should. You walk for you, and that is awesome.
Tim your sharing of your parking experience, not wanting to walk even a couple of hundred yards is something that resonated with how I often try to find the closest park in London to where I want to go. The crazy thing is it often means I take twice as long as a short stroll from the car. As I’ve been changing that approach recently I’ve actually felt which carpark to drive into and really enjoyed the walk to my destination. Of course if heavy boxes are involved then thats a different matter but what I’ve noticed is a calling from my body to walk more than I had been – no rigid of fixed requirement but whenever the opportunity arises.
Tim, when you wrote, ‘ I don’t do it because I should’ I feel that is a very important thing, because when we do anything with that approach, there can either be resentment if we do or guilt if we don’t make it, both of which are draining and cam make us ill. On the other hand, choosing to experiment for a couple of weeks and then continuing because you can feel the benefits is great. I’ve been going to a gentle exercise class which is fun to attend, fun to do and, amazingly, after only a few weeks, I’ve gone from lifting 0.5 kilo weights to 2Kg, which has amazed me, because the strength in my arms improved with just a few gentle weight-bearing movements. This has helped my body to cope better with work, where I have to lift out heavy oven trays and place them in racks at a lower height – my legs are stronger and my flexibility has improved.
I have consistently walked for the last 4 years or so. I love walking. When I am in the UK and start work at 5.00 am and go till 6.00 pm I still find the space to walk. I will walk at 4.15 for 15 minutes or after dinner. I can feel how much it revitalizes me and supports my over all well-being as well as giving me the opportunity to connect with nature, contemplate matters of life and check in with myself as to how I am.
Thank you Mary-Louise your finding the time to walk with your busy schedule is very inspiring, I will put off going for a walk as I don’t have time, so it is great to read how you manage to find the time and the benefits from committing to yourself in this way.
Thank you Tim. I’m feeling the benefits of walking too and have just recently committed to walking everyday. I will remember this blog and the word ‘commitment’.
I’ve been on a walk more consistently for a few months now, with the aim of just feeling my body and allowing what is there. It has been a re-evaluation, as I mostly just keep my awareness on my hands and feet, I couldn’t really feel my feet initially, but that has changed, as well as feeling my face relax, the most significant change has been that the constant thoughts that would initially bombard my mind, have reduced to being here and there, easily let go of as a distraction. Walking just for me is an exercise in loving myself and deepening awareness. Simple.
Mark thanks I’ve never thought to feel my face when walking, great inspiration.
I grew up in New York City. New Yorkers are known for walking more than pretty much all other people in the USA, which is great in one way, since the average American walks about a quarter of a mile a week (seriously!), but walking in New York is like a competitive sport. It is a race to get where you are going faster than others, bumping into each other is common, ducking in and out of the crowd or bulldozing your way through.
The difference in my walk now is like night and day. When I walk to work these days I get passed by people and don’t think that I am walking too slowly or ‘oh no! I must keep up with everyone!’ I walk at my pace and feel how it feels to walk with my feet and in my body, appreciating how I feel.
Thanks for Sharing Naren, it was brilliant to read about your experience of growing up in New York city. It must be so different now to walk in your own rhythm and how you feel to walk rather than the competitiveness and high intensity of the city pace.
Giving ourselves value and committing to caring for ourselves is an amazing gift we can grace ourselves with.
I have always enjoyed walking, however I used to use it as a way of escaping and not being around other people. The quality I walk in has altered greatly in the last few years. It is one of the main tools I use to reconnect and stay connected with myself and the world. Feeling what the body has to say when I am walking really gives me a great awareness of my general well being and it feels like I can clear stress etc while I am moving gently with full presence and reclaim my natural stillness. Your article is awesome, beautiful, accessible, simplicity, with a deep wisdom and honesty. Thank you for sharing.
This sharing about walking is described here in such a real, honest and organic way it is far more inspirational than the usual health advice that dryly recommends walking for health and exercise. Tim you have taken a good size bite into the wonders of walking by detailing how it has brought you so much more than the usual reasons we are encouraged to go for a walk – you certainly had me sold, ready to put on my shoes and head out the door. All of the benefits from walking you have mentioned also expand on what health actually is – this is not to say our medical system should be responsible for this, but rather to understand that health is so much more than being disease free. I just love how so much shifted and improved because of your commitment to walking – your sleep, your management of shift work, the way you eat, your awareness, clearer thinking, more intimacy with your wife – these are changes that some people only dream of or look elsewhere for without success.
The power of commitment , thank you for your insights and sharing Tim. I have recently committed to walking with me
and for me on a regular basis and like you have felt the immediate benefits.
The photograph on this blog says it all. Walking can be a joy-full experience. Lately I have come to a deeper appreciation of my body and how it holds me, transports me and is the intricately designed vehicle with an incredible array of motor skills. It feels like I have become more defined from it since feeling its finiteness whilst feeling my inner eternalness and this definition has given me appreciation of its patience, wisdom and that it carries me everyday.
Commitment is a big one Tim I agree, one that I too in the past have struggled with and have let the excuses or ‘its all to much’ come in and over ride what I have been committed to then end up finding weeks, months that I have not been doing that which supports me. What I have come to realise is that I can’t have commitment in one area of my life and not in another area and think that it is all fine. I have come to understand with attending Universal Medicine and listening to Serge Benhayon present that ‘Everything is Everything’ – bring this commitment to my life has brought a new found purpose and joy that I have never felt before. Walking is a great and it offers so many elements where we can look to go deeper with ourselves and let go of what is not. As you say Tim simply enjoy being who we are and in our bodies.
Tim, this is a great blog to come back to again.
How utterly gorgeous this is: “I do it for me and it brings me joy”.
It’s that powerful word commitment that makes all the difference. Once we have accepted, embraced, then start to enjoy what commitment brings we reap the rewards of our fabulous choices.
I have recently started walking after work as I am on an early shift, and it is so lovely to walk with myself and feel me. And when my mind wants to wander off I just lovingly bring it back to me and feeling my body. You really feel what you have been missing when you walk with yourself in this way.
“I don’t need to go to the gym and push myself because my job as a bus driver doesn’t require me to be super fit. I now can feel that my body doesn’t need to be trained hard and that gentle exercise is what is needed.” I love this point Tim because I can say from my experience as well that there was a time when I pushed my body in an intense way due to a myriad of reasons; however as I came out of it I began to see the ludicrousness of exercise and what it is that we are really trying to gain or accomplish when there is nothing about our lives that demand a particularly high level of strength or stamina. It became very obvious to me that what I was doing was not enhancing my “fitness” but rather debilitating and disconnecting me from being aware of my body. Now I find it far more supportive to exercise in a way with everything that I do that is supportive for myself, this includes physical exercising, walking or moving around – the quality is the same and of a true fitness as there are not highs and lows of the way I move around and “exercise” but rather consistency with all movements.
Hi Oliver. What struck me in your sharing here is the truth that ‘…there is nothing about our lives that demands a particularly high level of strength or stamina.’ It follows then that the pushing and striving is linked to recognition that in turn is linked to not feeling our deep worth and beauty as we are! So much doing goes on in all forms to fill up what is already overflowing! When are we (including me) going to fully understand this truth? Imagine what would happen in the world. That’s for another blog! Thank you.
It’s a very fair point. There is rarely a time when I require extreme strength or stamina. So long as I stay connected to my body and nurture and support myself in my body, then for the most part, that serves me well. On the odd occasion something more is required, as long as I am willing to ask, there is more often than not a majestic loving hand available.
Wonderful expressed Bernadette – usually it is the lack of self worth, which drives us to work hard, to train hard, … no wonder, that so many people are exhausted and depleted. Once we connect to our essence again, all this hard work is not required any more. Being me is enough.
Thanks Tim for sharing about your commitment with walking. I love walking but still had the same inconsistency going on like you are sharing and only a couple of months ago recommitted to regular walks – it makes such a difference if I do my walk or not.
I love walking for many great reasons – to connect to myself, my body, nature and God. What’s not to love?
I can so relate to what you share here Tim…in the benefits of walking for ourselves, not for others or because the dog needs a walk, but for us! I can also relate to the waning in commitment as my daily walks have been very sporadic lately. This has been very inspiring to read – thank you Tim.
Walking daily has helped me to deepen my relationship with my body so that it is not just an acquaintance, but a partnership.
What a gutsy and honest blog – one that could change the world! It is inspiring, simple and a representation of true self-care.
So true Heather and so easy to take up, as I have found out for myself now.
I love walking and I love being outside so going for a daily walk is a treat even though I do it everyday – well almost. If I come to the end of the day and I haven’t had a walk I know I have forgotten about myself somewhere along the line, (interesting turn of phrase). I sometimes then just go out and walk around the garden or up and down my driveway. I am always glad that I do this, I feel a wholeness, a completeness at these times. For me not going for a walk in my day is simply a sign of disregard.
Walking for me was part of family life as I grew up. Mostly we had a dog, and we walked together after dinner during the week, and during the day at weekends. Even when I grew up, and during times when we didn’t have a dog, our way has been to walk, even if it was just a stroll. We didn’t think of this as exercise, it was just something that we did, and mostly did together. I am so appreciative of the foundation that this gave to me, and also the foundation that it gave us together as a family. My parents are approaching 80, and we still walk together, and enjoy a good chat, nature, and seeing the seasons change as we do. It connects us to life outside whatever is going on for us individually, and generally helps refresh our relationships and perspectives. I cannot imagine our family life without walking, and am so pleased that my parents maintained their commitment to this activity, so that it is a natural part of my way of life.
I also used to train hard, go to the gym, be an aerobic instructor and my body was fit and hard for a little woman like me. I had to totally reprogram myself and learn to exercise gently and learn to feel when my body had enough. It is much more fun to go with my body and waking is a very simple gentle exercise for me. Since I got a dog only heavy duty rain can challenge my commitment to walk daily.
Beautiful Tim the joy of walking is so real in every way and all it offers us is so much more than we realise in life when in connection with ourselves. Sharing this walk is another level of connection and communication that is deeply felt also.It is so simple so beautiful and something that is shared the world over by everyone.
Walking is the most natural thing to do and something we often take for granted or avoid. Motorised transport has made it so easy for us to sit and take a ride or drive that walking for many can seem as an inconvenience or necessary nuisance. For five days I’ve been staying in a German city where walking and cycling is the norm. Each morning I walk with my grandnephew to kindergarten, from there I walk into town, shop and walk home again. In the late afternoons we may walk to the local botanical gardens. I’ve enjoyed the pace and feel of a steady daily walk, talking as we go along, mother, child, myself. I had a very different experience of walking in rural US recently, where walking on a regular basis or for love, seemed alien. People drove everywhere. The Freeway ruled and in some sections of road there was no pavement. It’s almost as if walking was outlawed. People rarely walked, only to and from the car, in and out of buildings. I looked into this some more and found that: ‘In 1969, half of American schoolchildren walked or rode their bikes to school. These days, relatively few do. Just 13 percent of kids walked or biked to school in 2009. But there’s one Ohio community that has steadfastly resisted that change. In the town of Lakewood, almost everyone still walks to school. That’s because Lakewood doesn’t have any school buses—and it never has! (i) If walking is to become the norm again, Town planners and local authorities have a responsibility to create towns and cities that make walking the preferred choice.
(i) Daniel Luzer Governing the States and Localities
I realised this morning that I missed my walk yesterday – and I felt a pang of sadness that I did not remember to give my body that joy of just being with me, and most likely I did miss its’ message while being caught up in all I had to do yesterday. I am so aware of it now that I definitely going walking with me today…
A walk is the three steps I take from my desk to the back door. A walk is the eight steps from my front gate to the front door. A walk is two steps when I move from the fridge to the bench. We walk all the time, it is a whole body physical movement between everything we do. I’ve noticed that, at times, my head could be ahead of my body, thinking ahead, like I am a head on legs and forgetting I am a whole body moving and therefore not being present with me. With every first step that I take, if I consciously feel the step, feel the ground and put my mind on the action it supports the presence that is super important to maintain and therefore am less likely to just think and forget my body. I do this with every walk, even the two, three steps or ten steps that I call a walk. This is one of my self-care commitments to me and it builds amazing presence, connection and confidence. It took a little practice, but it slowly becomes a way that is normal, my new normal and continues to unfold. It has allowed me to feel the rhythm of me and my relationship with gentleness, stillness and love. I still think about what I am doing but with a presence as a foundation. Thanks for writing this blog Tim and bringing awareness to how commitment plays a huge part in our wellbeing.
It takes time to let go of the pushing way of exercising, designed to get fit, lose weight, tone up or some other goal… or because ‘I should’. I have been working with this with the support of a fabulous gentle exercise practitioner for more than 2 years now. At first I resisted and wondered if this new way ‘would get me anywhere’. But I can honestly say that with consistency and variation in my exercise program, including regular walking (not running) my body is stronger, more flexible and I feel a strong base of support now in my body. I can highly recommend it.
Walking is a fabulous way to connect with the body, move the body, shift whatever energy we are stuck in and allow one’s insights to magically appear in front of us. It is one of the ways I connect to myself and feel the loveliness and fullness of me at the start of each day. It is also such a great way to walk and talk with a loved one to air issues and be able to express and receive what is needed to reconnect.
Your comments on commitment are very interesting Tim. Some 2 years ago, I realized that I was in reaction to and not committed to life. The first thing I was able to commit to was walking which then developed into an amazingly supportive gentle exercise program. I was then able to begin committing to other areas of my life, one by one because I had built a strong base of support in my body.
Since reading this blog I have felt encouraged to find the places where I can be more committed to life. And I can see that this commitment does not have to be something big and grand to be meaning-full, as just paying attention to the one smallest detail consistently everyday actually has the potential for great change.
On re-reading your great blog on walking, one big word stands out for me this time, Tim – ‘Commitment’. I do a walk usually twice a week with a friend when I am at home, but find it very hard to commit to walking every day. Those walks I do are quite long, 3-1/2 km, but easy walking, but then it takes quite a time as I have to drive 10 minutes to get to that beautiful boardwalk. I don’t feel I have the time to do that every day of the week. I know I should walk every day if possible, my body tells me that is what it needs. But the tussocky ground underfoot on what passes for a footpath makes it hard to get a comfortable rhythm for my feet. Feels as if I need to make a deeper commitment and maybe walk along the edge of the road instead, will try this out when I return home soon, and test if that feels safe.
Beverley, I also find it hard to establish a rhythm because I live on the edge of the Alps. Each walk is a sharp climb followed by a little bit of level and then a sharp descent. It’s just too hot to do it in the summer, (this year 35-40 degrees C in July) and sometimes almost too cold in the winter, with large minus temperatures. For the sake of a consistent rhythm, I find short but regular walks a possible answer.
I have just come back from a short walk just up the road. It was gorgeous feeling the early evening and being out and about. My body felt relaxed and open and I really enjoyed my own company. I felt like I was letting the day go.
I also find great joy and benefit in my daily walk. It has found a slot in my day so that my husband and I walk together very early every morning. It feels so natural and essential for me to have a walk every day that I don’t even think of it as a commitment but just as a natural part of my rhythm. Equally I don’t think of it as a commitment to breath in and breath out – that is just something I do. However there are rare occasions when I don’t go for a walk and that is fine too, so far I have not stopped breathing.
And thats the point Nicola – we breathe naturally and we will be connected to breath even when we are not longer in this body. But to walk is the commitment to this lifetime, to this body and what it can bring to this world. Now I understand ‘Commitment’ and what it means a bit more. Thank you both, Tim and Nicola.
I agree Nicola walking is a natural part of my rhythm now, which I do most days. Originally it started as ‘a commitment to walk’ then as it became a part of my rhythm, it is just that, I may do it in the morning or evening or sometimes I walk in my lunch hour, depending on my day. I have had this experience with many things in life, at first it is a discipline or commitment, then it just is a natural part of my rhythm which I consistently do.
A beautiful blog. I love the way you write, Tim. There is a gorgeous directness and open-heartedness, which brings inspiration about what you write for the reader.
Hear hear – I can only agree Jonathan, it is so down to earth and practical – very inspiring,.
I love you reminding me to commit to what I need a day. My rhythm, ritual that I love – and actually I do love walking too very much and leave it aside whenever there’s a lot on my to-do list. This is definitely a moment to take stock and listen to my body why I cut this out so easily. Maybe there is something inside me not willing to be with me too much***. Thank you for the reflection and with that a moment to stop and feel.
So lovely to read about your joy and commitment to walking Tim. I do love walking and was been brought up in a family that bush-walked most weekends, rain, shine or snow. Serge Benhayon’s presentations brought a new inspiration and awareness around walking that has been incredible to experience. Every movement is harmonious, feeding back the body the Love that is in every step.
Thanks Tim, I love what you’ve presented here and has got me thinking about the difference between willingness and commitment for myself and how that plays out. I am willing to do a lot of things but not always committed to it. It seems from what you’re saying that commitment is about you in life, you saying yes to life and it comes from a deeper, and more loving part of you. Willingness only feels like it is momentary and on the surface you are presented with a choice. Commitment feels like you have made the choice. It’s a known. It comes from all of you and you are living it.
That’s a great point Elizabeth, while reading your blog I could feel that willingness comes with resistance. It’s not the full package of commitment.
Walking is definitely a great work out, yesterday after a walk I could feel how my calves feel sore and tensed. But what I felt was that walking helps them release what was stuck in my calves. Walking is like giving yourself a healing session.
I love this Tim. I can relate fully to the lack of commitment to a choice which actually truly supports me. I too know walking has benefitted me in the past, yet it is one of the easiest, if not the first, thing to give up. You have re-brought this to my attention, so thank you.
‘In the past, whenever things started to get in the way it was very easy to make excuses and give up – a pattern I had for most of my life.’ I am becoming aware of this same pattern Tim, it is so comfortable to have excuses and just give up instead of looking at why the excuses are there any way and just go on with what the initial feeling was and to stay with the purpose.
Wow Tim – by reading your words I can feel how much the area you walking through is benefiting from your walk. You bring you into this world, by clearing you, confirming you or developing your relationship with your wife – every step a blessing.
Its interesting to ponder how exercise drops off when things start to get in the way, for I am beginning to see that it is exactly these more intense moments when that commitment to ourselves can feed us back so absolutely.
We in our household have a walk after work to leave anything we may have dragged home from a day in the world. Rain or shine we go. We have at times in the winter when it was cold, blowy and snowy, even though we were dressed warm the walk … was I bit shorter. We have recently started a short walk in the morning just to start the day. Our walks are an important part of our daily rhythm.
Excuses, where do they come from? We all know what is harmonious for us and our bodies and there is a seemingly endless stock of excuses in the shelf not to act on this knowing. The excuses don’t come from love obviously. So they must come from something that is not love. What’s my choice then?
I love walking. I walk most days and I know if I miss a day! Walking clears my head of any thoughts and it was great to read that Tim talks to himself as I very often will express to myself how my body is feeling. Sometimes though, I have to be careful not to go into my head. “I do it for me and it brings me joy” – this sentence I love – simple yet so powerful. Thank you Tim for sharing as I love the simplicity with which you write.
‘Commitment is not about perfection.’ I love that Tim, it’s a great reminder. The quest for perfection is one that leads us back into drive, push and agendas… which brings us undone. Best to leave our perfectionism at home when we walk.
Yes, let’s take acceptance and appreciation along with us instead.
Awesome blog Tim Bowyer and it shows us that walking is so powerful for us human beings to do. In walking we magnify and earth the true us we are from our inner most and with every step the connection with the harmony and stillness that lives within us is growing and strengthening. I can feel that walking is so important to me, it brings me back when I have lost myself from situations I was in; it brings me the clarity about questions in life; walking confirms the love that I feel inside and by walking I share this with the world etc.. Walking is actually a healing modality for me, when applied consistent and with care, it serves me in my my returning to the gentleman I am.
Thanks Tim, it is interesting to read in your blog how the routine of walking (exercise) can get eroded away by small things that seem to get in the way and gradually end up not doing the walk (or exercise) for a period of time. It seems like after a few false starts, so to speak, and identifying those small things that get in the way your path is clear to maintain that routine of walking which clearly has so many benefits to health and relationships. Awesome sharing Tim… makes me want to go put my walking shoes on!
I know exactly what you mean Tim about walking. There is something very restorative about it. I enjoy going for weekend early evening walks by the canal where I live in Singapore, and find the quietness and stillness very beneficial, seeing and smelling the nature always feels harmonious, and also feeling how my body is moving a great reflection of how I’ve been during my day or week. It’s like if I have an issue, I gently walk it out of the body as I reflect and express the issue to myself.. and then let it go. My body feels expansive afterwards and in this way walking is never a chore or bother, but more an essential and medicinal aspect of life.
Walking as medicine, I like it! Accessible, free and easy – it is a form of medicine we could say is ‘universally available medicine’, a tonic for body, self and self with others.
I love it Zofia and Victoria how you talk about walking as a medicinal aspect of life. We truly underestimate the benefits of walking.
Just before reading your awesome blog, Tim, I had been reading some sayings on walking and the Law of Magnification – how each step we take can send a loving impulse from our heart to out feet and then back again, or it can send a harsh impulse on the same heart to foot loop. Sounds as though you have been walking with your heart….so lovely when we do this, so yuck when we don’t – yuck for ourselves and for all others who tread the same steps we have left before hand. Seen like this, the effect of how and why we walk has been incredibly underestimated!
I love how you share that your commitment to walking has brought a new depth of joy for yourself. I love walking and was brought up as a walker – dog owners almost always walk because the dogs won’t let you off the hook on that one. Even more than the doggy walks, I love walking in nature, by which I am surrounded where I currently live. It feels, at times, as though we, nature and I, exchange breaths: as nature exhales, I inhale; as I exhale, nature inhales. It is the most exquisite feeling. I find that my fingers naturally want to connect through touch with the leaves of trees and with the texture of the bark of trees. I always have a sense of nature reciprocating my delight in this touch. There is nothing quite like this….I love it.
I too love to walk in nature, Coleen, you have inspired me to again do some walking on the bush tracks near my home in the coastal reserve. It is nature that I am very much at home, I especially love the birds and their delightful calls. I also am lucky to be able to live with lots of bush around me, I find it food for the Soul to have that nearby.
I can relate to that too Beverley, as nearby me is a small lake, and within that an island with a bird reservoir of some sort. The other day the lake was so still, and just by itself I was greeted with this lovely picture of one sole Pelican gracefully gliding through the waters, so beautiful. I can go there every day when I haven’t made space for longer walks on the beach.
I can see an upcoming blog Tim…how walking is great for your relationship!
Ha Jennifer, yes, me too! Walking with my husband is definitely something to consider especially when something arises and needs to be discussed. Making the commitment to walk together regularly feels like a wonderful opportunity to connect more deeply and support one another.
I love walking too Tim. I would never walk for me, but would walk to get to the train or the bus stop, I would walk on holidays. Now I do all of the above. Taking myself for a walk can be very exposing and very healing all in one. Even though walking is fabulous exercise I rarely walk with that as my intention. Mostly I just love the feeling in my body when I walk, feeling how every single part of my body moves, relates and interrelates when I walk and how there is much to observe and then let go of as I walk; and rarely a day goes by with me taking me for a walk. It’s something that I make sure I have time for and makes such a difference to my day.
Thanks for the inspiration Tim (and Josh). I was already willing to start walking every day and through your blog I realize all I lack is commitment to put my willingness into motion.
I can relate to that iljakleintjes, my own lack of commitment is all that is holding me back from doing it daily. I know that my body loves it when I do walk. So why not enjoy that daily, it can be a beautiful start to the day for me. I now commit to walking each day.
There is something about going for a walk, especially when it’s a choice to go walking rather than simply the result of needing to get somewhere – that is so restorative. I know whenever I am not feeling myself, out of sorts from a long day or upset or anxious, a walk is almost guaranteed to help me get back to myself.
It is so important to en-joy the things you do. I know I have been caught in ideals about how to act and did activities out of ‘push’.
I’ve been living a model (although still very experimental), only do what you en-joy, within the practicality of life (still do your taxes)
And if you don’t enjoy what you are doing then address it.
Is it because you feel stressed?
is it because it gives you pain?
Is it because you feel resentful about?
From addressing these issues I feel most things in life can be en-joyable.
With exercise, I am learning that no amount of hard work can replace the feeling of wellbeing I have when I am aware of my physical body. This awareness feels like a connection with my body and makes me far more gentle perhaps even tender with it. So any amount of strenuous pushing cannot be done, but with walking it is very possible to simply be, and to re-connect.
This is amazing how the noble walk has sparked such interest and it just confirms how simple and beneficial the simple walk can be.How much would getting everybody in the country or the world walking would cut the amount of lifestyle diseases like type two diabetes? Perhaps if we all started walking for ourselves and walking sake we would be less inclined to put rubbish down out throats.
I love this Kevin McHardy. Almost absurd in its simplicity – but actually 100% accurate. Spot on.
Tim I really get the connection between walking and commitment. It need not be about getting fit or in shape. It need not be about doing something healthy for yourself. My commitment to walking comes, as with yours, through enjoying being with myself in movement. Walking is something we do of course all the time, so enjoying the movement and rhythm through my body, enjoying the feeling of my legs, my shoulders and the feeling change as I go up and down hills or even reconnecting to my body each time I walk to the toilet or down the corridor, all provide moments to simply enjoy being with me. I never ‘set a pace’ anymore in my walk. It is just the pace that allows me to connect and feel my body with tenderness on that day. So commitment may have a connotation to be about discipline, but it is totally different when it is about committing to something purely for the love of being alive and celebrating it.
I can totally relate Tim, as many are on this thread. For me, I never like walking or being with my body in general! I’ve done many bush walks and always got swept up in the beauty of the forests as a distraction from the exhaustion I felt in my body – I have pushed myself with walking at time, like trekking the Himalayas in Nepal I felt anxiety at not honouring the exhaustion I felt. So now, I know how important walking is but not in a need or driving way – just in a ‘moving my body with me’ way that supports where I am at. I make excuses and still do not have a ritual with this but I am getting there and this blog has inspired me deeply.
Commitment is such an incredible joy – I have also discovered that where there is commitment there is no room for complication or delay. This can be applied to walking, working but above all loving yourself and others.
I have been feeling the benefits of walking every night after work and the odd occasion this hasn’t happened, my body can feel the difference and then when I start up again, my body feels great. Thank you for the reminder Tim of how important it is to stay committed to my walking, especially with the winter months coming.
I walk regularly and am blessed to live in a spectacular location and the walk around the block has some incredible scenery. I have been committed to walking, but my commitment has lacked in the purpose of my walk. My intention is to walk to be with me, but often I’m nearly home and realise I’ve been off in my head the entire time and not really with me at all. My commitment to my purpose needs some attention.
A good distinction to make Nikki – it feels like a refinement of the commitment, from simply being committed to walking daily, to committing to staying present with the body whilst walking daily. An expansion of the commitment!
As an AIN, I’m on my feet and walking for much of my day at work, these days I’m very much more present and more consciously aware of my body when I walk. This is making a huge difference in my working day in general but, has made it easy for me to make excuses for not committing to walking regularly outside of this, even though I know walking with and for me without any other purpose or constraints is completely different and I feel the so many added benefits you mentioned Tim, when I do. One of them being feeling the absolute beauty of me as part of something wondrous and much grander, as you said Susanne, a connection to the Universe. Walking outside of work is a wind down, therapy a chance to allow the residue of the day to simply drop away. Thank you Tim, I’m inspired to recommit to the joy of walking every day.
Tim what I loved about your blog is that it shows so clearly that if we mark and appreciate the choices we make it is a great foundation for a true commitment.
Wow Tim you got me! Have inspired me deeply to also bring the commitment to a daily walk again, as I too had often the willingness to do and always dropped it again. Through your description of what changes for you through walking on a daily basis, I have a deeper insight now and feel joy when I think about starting to walk again on a regular basis. Thank you. For a long time I was jogging very regular, but I stopped it, when I realized that it was more a “running away” (from me). It is so true, that walking brings a wider perspective of life, more connection to the ground (of life), and connection with heaven I am walking under… so after this comment, I will definitely go for a walk. Let’s start it again.
I too have been inspired by Tim to bring a walk into my daily rhythm. I presently do a long walk twice a week, but it now feels very important to introduce a daily walk for the other days of the week, just for me and to be truly with me, for at least 20 minutes. I can already feel the joy in my body at the idea of this, so now is the time for me to make this commitment to myself and my body. Thank you Stefanie for the reminder.
I went to a gym this morning and had a go at walking on a treadmill as I was doing this I was watching people around me walking on the treadmill and watching TV or talking on the phone. it seemed they were seeking anything to distract themselves. Then of course I realised that I was distracting myself by watching them only i thought myself superior because i was trying to ignore the TV screen in front of me. I then stopped and focussed on my body and had a very different experience. how fast, how much of an incline did I want, what else did my body want to do – Stretch my arms. It was i very different experience once I brought my attention back to myself.
I love what you share here Nicole, I also have these kind of days where I finish my walk and realize, wait a minute where was I during my walk? It makes me feel sad that I missed part of it and so nowadays I focus more on my feet and legs and the way my hips move, etc so I don’t miss out spending this lovely time with me.
Our feet were made to walk our light, and if this is not walked then we are responsible for the darkened landscape in which we stand.
Very poetic Liane, and clearly a choice to walk in our light also heals the darkened landscape!
That is truth expressed in a beautiful way Liane. This supports me to deeply feel the effect (and responsibilty) of walking.
This is a very simple and inspiring sharing Tim, thankyou. Something occurred to me while reading your words on walking and commitment and that is that walking is commitment made visible; step-by-step we build a rhythm that holds us steady when followed by the more steps of the same quality. In this way we are able to walk the ‘all that we are’ in tune to the ‘all that we are a part of’. It is our ‘missing link’, for when we do not commit in full, our steps falter, we miss a beat and the rhythm is lost.
What a beautiful expression of truth, Liane: that faltering and uncommitted steps bring, and indicate that we are out of tune with ourselves and the all that we are part of. The purity of truth…..stunning. –
I too enjoy the benefits of walking consistently – at times I still struggle with ideas of walking faster or further for “fitness” and when I catch myself in this space I realize I am no longer enjoying the walk, it becomes a task and a chore. But when I am taking myself for a walk because I know that it is something that supports me, so that I can have that time with myself, enjoying being out in nature but also enjoying feeling the way my body moves, it is a great way of clocking what is going on as you can tell so much by how you are moving, if any part of your body is stiff or sore, or if you are getting easily distracted –wandering off in thoughts instead of enjoying the moment.
Tim, I really like the connection you make between the level of fitness you need for your work and the exercise you take. It makes a lot of sense that we participate in exercise that allows us to create necessary fitness but don’t need to push ourselves to a level of fitness that has no relation to our daily requirement for living life. This seems like a great template for creating a wellbeing in our bodies.
That’s an interesting point Stephen and I have been quite surprised at my own levels of fitness and how I am fitter than I have ever been and all I do is walk and light weighs a couple of times a week. It’s a great question to ponder.
Your blog has inspired me Tim to get out there more now and start walking even if it is only for 15 minutes a day. I know when I do walk I really enjoy walking with me and feel great after time to recommit to regular walks with me.
Tim what really stood out for me is how walking has had such an incredible effect on your life. I would have expected an article about walking to cover the physical benefits and the knock on benefits from that but it feels from reading your article that there are a multitude of direct benefits from walking that are very far reaching. Amazing stuff !
Thank you Tim. Walking has always been my ‘thing’. I loathed how stressed my body felt when I went for a jog (I did this because others thought it would benefit me), and my body would become injury prone if I ‘worked out’ in the gym. I also, had a low level of commitment to a daily walk and then I moved close to the beach and the sound of the surf on the beach beckoned. There are absolutely no problems with commitment in such a beautiful environment and the teachings of Universal Medicine have taught me to be more aware of my body as I walk and also taught me a true appreciation of the space I walk in.
Lovely to read another blog by you Tim – your blogs always feel so light and simple and makes such sense. I too am beginning to explore a deeper relationship with walking and like you in the past I have committed and then my sense of commitment has flagged. This time for me it is part of an ever deepening relationship I am feeling with my body at the moment and re-connecting to my body as a whole. When my head is feeling in a turmoil I can go for a walk and the connection to the earth and the world of God that surrounds me comes back to me. As I place my feet down I can feel the flow of energy in my body and this reminds me of how my body does not act in isolation but as a greater whole much the same as the world. I can connect to the delicateness and tenderness that I feel in the soles of my feet and this connection inspires me deeply when I realise that I am now treating my body with care and love and not just using it to further my own ends. Interestingly the ‘soles’ of my feet connect me back to my ‘soul’ – I feel this is no coincidence!
Tim as someone that also enjoys walking but has had a very stop-start relationship with it I find periods of time where I walk and others where I do not. The times I do not, when I have excuses of being too busy, result in me reaching a point where I don’t feel so great and the impulse to walk is very strong. Yet in all of that I also see that my commitment is not there, perhaps I walk because I know I should, I walk to feel better but I then miss out of walking simply to enjoy being with me. I started walking again a few days ago and so your blog is really timely reminder on both commitment and the very reason for walking.
I do not walk just for me every day, although I would love to, I do often walk and I find the space I feel when I walk allows my head to clear and for me to feel lighter just like you describe. What I have noticed is even on the days where I do have the space to go for a walk with me it does not take much to talk myself out of it yet I know how supportive a walk would be which is crazy.
I have just renewed my commitment to walking with me this week. I made the excuse that it was too cold to go for a walk, or too dark but I also know there is always a way to make it work if there is commitment. Why would I not want to walk in the absolute joy of connection with me and the universe?!?!
Absolutely Suzanne! Walking is not only an amazing way to connect with ourselves but also with humanity.
I love to walk and I always have, especially when I was young- to observe and be with nature- to see the beauty that each day brings. I now know that this is a beautiful reflection of us, starting with the quality of how we are with ourselves. I feel energised and clear in the mind and joyous when walking.
I always know that there is something not quite right when I don’t feel like going for my daily walk. It is a great marker for me as it lets me know how committed I actually am to doing something for my body and being that makes such a huge difference.
Yes Elizabeth I agree, walking is a great marker for me too. If I don’t feel like going for a walk then I know something’s up as I have got caught up in what is going on around me and lost the commitment to me. Going for a walk brings me back to me and my body.
Thats a great comment Elizabeth, and so true, if I don’t feel like going for my daily walk, what is going on, and where is my commitment for doing something for my body that I know is supportive?
“I always know that there is something not quite right when I don’t feel like going for my daily walk” This is great Elizabeth. That is a great way to be aware of what is happening with us on a daily basis and see how we are going. I know when I avoid doing something that is a commitment to myself like walking or exercising I am generally avoiding something else that I haven’t dealt with as well.
Commitment sure is the key, hey Tim? As you say, even 15 minutes a day…. it’s not about the distance or time, it’s about the commitment. And once over the ‘no commitment’ hurdle, the benefits are huge and it gets easier and easier so that your body just takes you for a glorious healthy walk without any resistance or excuses.
I really enjoyed your blog Tim sharing your commitment towards walking, I find walking allows me a stop and a wind down from the day.
I love walking also Alison, it is a time for me to deeply connect with my body and with nature – the smells, scenery and sounds. I feel alive and super lovely when I walk.
The BIG takeaway line for me Tim is,
“I do it for me and it brings me joy.”
So free of complications and expectations.
Thank you.
Absolutely Rod.
Yes, there can be so much joy in simple things like Tim has beautifully shared here.
I loved the down to earth sharing of this blog Tim, thank you. Like others who have shared here, commitment is the key here for me too. It is commitment to myself that is the game changer – when the commitment wanes, I am losing my connection with my purpose for living – to express the fully who I am. Your sharing has clarified this again for me Tim.
You have truly inspired me to walk again Tim! Thank you for sharing this blog. Everyone should know about the power of walking.
Tim, I love how you have written this article as it explores the difference between a willingness and a commitment and I feel what it reflects for all to consider is that perhaps when we struggle to commit that there is something more and deeper for us to explore.
Great point Jade, Tim’s blog does really show that there is quite a difference between being willing to do something and being committed to see it through. Commitment feels so much deeper and requires an absolute dedication, an understanding of purpose and the action to back it all up.
Thank you Tim for sharing your joy filled walk. I can feel the strength of your commitment and how that has helped you in committing to other areas of your life.
Walking is such a lovely way to move the body and I have owned dogs for around 14 years so they have offered me the consistency of walking every day even if I don’t feel like it! Walking is so much a part of my every day life now that I can’t imagine not doing it. I realised at some point that even though I was motivated by walking the dogs each day, it was a commitment I had made to myself, and through learning the various walks with Universal Medicine which nurture different parts of my body, it added another level of healing to my simple daily walks.
I too love walking and have found that I feel a lot better after a walk. However, you have reminded me Tim of the need to check what the intention is behind the walk eg is it coming from a commitment to just be with and feel what is going on with me, to enjoy nature and/or the company of who ever I might be walking with etc – or is it something else, such as a ‘must do or I’ll feel guilty’ type of experience. Obviously the quality of the end result is completely different depending on what I am taking with me on my walk so thank you for helping me to pause and re-calibrate before heading off this morning on my walk.
Returning to read this blog I was touched by the photo at the top. It so perfectly captures the sense of ease and release, that can come from simply walking without a goal or destination to get to. Thank you for sharing your path to loving walking Tim. It is a pleasure to walk here alongside you.
I love what you have shared about how commitment to walking has brought you further commitment in other areas of your life Tim. This has been my experience too, learning to truly commit to one aspect of life highlights the need to be equally committed in all others. Perhaps that is what can hold us back – we sometimes like to dip our toes in but are not willing to jump in with both feet.
Tim I love the honesty you share in you opening paragraph. I could feel a very old energy that would cause such unnecessary tension over something so simple. I personally love walking, any opportunity to walk is great by me – except if I’ve decided I want to wear high heels! Then I love and deeply appreciate driving up to the door.
What you have shared is very inspiring. Most of us would agree that there is often the willingness to make a positive change without consistency and commitment. Walking is one of my favourite things to do, even if it is just moving around at work. I really get to feel me and it does bring a more balanced view on life. I often talk with myself on my walks too. I feel that I step back from my issues when I walk and I am able to get a much clearer perspective.
Walking gets me out of any stagnation I might be stuck in as long as I walk with ‘me’, ie. connect to and feel my body and allow the walking to develop a presence and quality I can recognise as being ‘me’ versus the issue, mood or pattern that otherwise controls me while I am thinking I would dissolve or change it without actually moving anywhere.
What I have noticed too Alex is, that my walk changes when I am walking; the issue or mood and even my colleagues at work notice it. I have what looks like a limp when I am disconnected to me. This happens rarely now but when a colleague called this, it was a real indicator for me just to re-connect to my body and walk me.
Wow Tim, so just by simply walking your fitness improved, you felt lighter and more connected with your body, you were able to spend time with your wife and work through any issues, and enjoyed greater clarity, understanding and balance in your life. What a miraculous form of exercise – without the intense impact on the body and risk of injury!
When I consider going for a walk (or talking per-se), I get the feeling of my chest and my body opening up, my blood vessels opening up, my heart expanding and my mind clearing. It is so beneficial to go for a walk and it’s a commitment to ourselves, our body and how we walk through life.
I agree Harrison walking is such a great support. I especially love the feeling of how my mind clears all the unwanted chatter as I walk along and come back to my body.
This is a great article Tim about your commitment to your walk – “I do it for me and it brings me joy.” This is a great place to be when you are doing something for yourself because it brings you joy, absolutely love that!
Absolutely Shelley, I love this too. Without the need or an agenda to walk I feel commitment comes more easily. When I make it about fixing something or loosing weight I can fall out of the want to walk – make it about joy and being with ourselves how can I not want to go walking!
An inspiring blog Tim, thank you. I love walking and find that if I have anything , any issues that come up that walking always helps me to sort them out.
This made me laugh because since I have my car I have loved driving … but also really really love being in nature and walking to especially when the sun is shining and I am wrapped up and snug.
Thank you Tim – for inspiring a deeper commitment to life through walking your loving walk.
Having assisted with getting this great blog to the world, I can say that it’s still just as terrific as when I first read it quite a while ago! It’s so good hearing about someone else’s experience and that there have been starts and stops, and that yet the underlying commitment is still getting you out there and not giving up on the joy of walking or on yourself and your family. More writing please Tim! I really enjoy and appreciate the way you write and tell the story.
Who knew that walking could have SO many benefits, both physical and not. Thanks for sharing your story Tim, I agree, when I walk regularly things seem to clear in my head and in my life in general, and I have had the same experience of when I stopped walking things change (and not for the better).
I also feel that i do not always allow enough time for me and could do more walking for me, to be with me. I use my walk to work to be connect and because i walk throughout the day in my shop i also try to be present in every step while dealing with customers.
Walking every step with purpose allows a consistency throughout my day, and when i am not in this purpose i can feel it in the body. So even when there is no time for a walk with self, i remember that i am always with me and so need to walk every step in that presence.
Walking for simply that, to be with me, to feel the loveliness of my body as I walk is such a beautiful gift that I can offer myself. The bonus is that it is also great exercise.
I love this Tim. I also have developed a love for walking, but still I find myself doing it (especially when I walk on the walking machine) for the purpose of getting fit, which then makes it into a chore rather than something I enjoy. Not only is walking a great way to reconnect with my body, but it’s great to talk to others when walking and observe life and nature around. I recently went to New York for a week, and we walked everywhere. I mean why would you catch a Taxi or the subway when you can walk, talk and take in everything that’s happening – and in NYC there is always a lot happening!
The natural flow of your writing Tim is so beautiful to read and to take on board the message I received about ‘Commitment’. In many areas of my life I feel that I have gone in with great gusto into bringing something new into my life, then to trail away with my commitment into continuing on a regular basis with the benefits that I gain from that initial inspiration. Walking is such a wonderful opportunity to get in touch with our bodies and our bodies certainly relate back to us very clearly how we have been self nurturing or not! Great sharing Tim thank you.
Like you Tim I also find that I have a deeper quality of sleep when I have exercised. Walking is a great way to wind down from the day and allows a better quality of rest.
Hi Tim, thank you you have inspired me to do a walk every day – I keep meaning to but somehow run out of time and it is, as you say, commitment. Like your experience, I have done it for a while then it has dropped off and it does feel good – the benefits you have experienced are amazing.
I am sure most people can relate to having started and then stopped exercising, I know I have, and as the winter months draw in I can feel an old pattern knocking on my door saying ‘it’s too cold, stay inside’, even though I have been enjoying my walks for months. Like you have described Tim, walking has so many health benefits and there is no need for that push you were describing in your blog, but more of an opportunity to talk things out and come back to ourselves after a day at work.
Tim this is so timely for me, as i have very little consistency with my exercise routine at the moment and I can clearly see how this is impacting on everything and everyone else. I have always walked on our running machine at home and done a few stretches before hand – however in recent months i have struggled to find the time and made excuses. Last week i returned to this morning ritual and the results were extraordinary – I could feel the immediate celebration in my body – the energy that i was gifted back with for the rest of my day was threefold and when issues popped up in my day they no longer feel bigger than me.
Hi Tim,
Your new approach to walking and exercise in general shows true change with a now long term intention of walking to connect back to your body, instead of exercising to achieve something. Like you, in the past I had only ever known exercise to be based around a goal, a need to get something done and look or feel a certain way. What I now am learning in my body is to not be invested in the outcome of exercise, but also that it is as much about how much, what and when I eat as it is about the consistent supportive walking or exercise I do.
Thank you for sharing your relationship with commitment.
After reading your article Tim, I made the commitment to start walking again, I had stopped walking for a year and did not want to start again incase I once again stopped, but I have now made the commitment and had a really beautiful walk yesterday, thank you for your inspiration.
Thanks Tim for your blog about walking which really you could say is a blog about commitment. I like how you have described commitment as not giving up and not giving in to the thousands of excuses that we come up with to not self care. I also like that your version of commitment sounds light, fun and not serious or driven which so often exercise programs or diets can be. A different way to commit perhaps?
In the past anytime I saw some running my thoughts were, if you needed to get there that fast you should have driven. Being an American from the land of plenty… of food and the inability to push away from the table its hard to live with out a car. The car has become our legs with wheels. I still have no regrets about moving to England over 20 years ago. A few years ago after finding Universal Medicine I made lot of major choices that have changed my life… walking is one of them. I had lived in a small village out side of Oxford and we would walk every night regardless of the weather. I retired from my last job and did what I have been told is backwards, sold my house in the country and moved to London. I have a long green with a stream that runs though it, in front of our house with very large parks at both ends. We have a greater variety of wild life on our walks than we had in the country. I find it quite funny that we have wild life here that has an altitude to people. I like the foxes that stop, look at you and if they could speak would say “what?” I walk all week and never drive except weekends now. I work in the centre of London and walk a lot in my job. Walking is well and truly a part of my life now.
Another great blog from you Tim, I never was a walking man either, going for a walk for the sake of walking sounded a bit daft to me, I would walk to get places if necessary, down to beaches from the car or over hills to go surfing or something but never just for walking sake. Getting a dog changed all that and then taking it further. It is one thing in my life that has been a constant and now I couldn’t be without it.
Oh I totally get it Tim. I used to think walking was a waste of time when trying to get fit and would push myself with aerobic classes although I loved walking everywhere when travelling overseas and I always felt better and had lost weight upon my return every time but I could never (and I tried) emulate that once I got back into my usual routine. I’ve finally stopped the aerobic classes and now I enjoy nothing more than to walk every day and feel my feet as I go.
It’s uncanny how a simple walk can make it possible for people to open up and share, in ways they might not in other situations. Yesterday, after a first birthday party, I walked slowly with the child’s grandmother through a sunlit park. As we walked, we talked and shared stories about ourselves, families and life. It was a moment of connection, and therapeutic as well.
I love that you walk for no other reason than that it brings you joy. I am inspired to look at why I have to come up with other reasons for why I do the things I want to do. I will be practicing saying “because it brings me joy.” Thank you Tim.
Thank you, Tim. With no retribution you have described the ebb and flow of commitment that is a pattern in my life. I know the deepening sense of responsibility and understand that, with this, a steady commitment, not only in terms of maintaining great choices but also letting it in to every aspect of my life, is super important.
I love this blog Tim as it starts with walking but ends up encompassing most of life, and how if we chose to make a commitment magic happens. Yes I agree it is all about commitment but also just as important is consistency and from this strong base we are supported to develop a routine, a rhythm, that creates a strong foundation for whatever we are doing in any part of our lives. Many, with their regular gym visits, strength training programmes etc make exercise seem so complicated and not very enjoyable, but you with your love of walking have shown it is actually very simple and has wonderful benefits, not only for your fitness levels, but your overall well being.
This blog shows us that when we commit to an expression that supports us (in this case walking) this cannot be contained to just that example and all aspects of our lives are then called to a greater level of commitment. This tells us that life is is not to be compartmentalised, but felt and experienced as one whole expression.. love it.
Thank you Tim, I loved this blog and reading of your developing level of commitment to walking every day. I love to walk but am finding there are lots of excuses that come up for me not to walk when it is cold outside. This blog has inspired me to deepen my commitment to myself and supporting my body. Thanks Tim.
Thank you Tim for this great blog on ‘simply walking’. It may look like it is just ‘simply walking’ but I also have found that walking in presence with oneself, without a ‘goal’ of any description whether that is to get fit, to achieve a certain number of heartbeats etc. etc., or ‘times around the deck’ as I used to do when away on cruises now feels so much more true, therapeutic and healing on so many different levels. Thank you for the reminder to walk truly and fully in the awareness of the presence of oneself.
I seem to have more of a commitment to go for a walk in the warmer weather than when it’s cold. But do rug up for a walk when the sun is shining in winter! It is a definite commitment. A beautiful blog Tim
My commitment to walking is the same all year round, I find that there’s a beauty and joy to walking in winter, this is because I prepare well and make sure my body is supported and dressed for cold, thermals, layers, warm coat, head scarf (a most for me) gloves and of course comfortable shoes. When committed to me, I can embrace almost all weathers conditions.
I agree, a good expose of the word commitment. We can’t just commit for different seasons, commitment is commitment, all year round, every month, week, day, hour, moment. It is love for ourselves in what supports us, and in turn everyone in our lives, as I have found so clearly since developing consistency in one area of my life, it is like a virus…it wants to spread! It shows up other areas of my life where there is a lack of consistency.
I like to get fancy with my gloves and scarf and beanie! even in Australia (during Winter). Agreed it is a beautiful blog.
‘I do it for me and it brings me joy.’ So simple and why else would one want to go for a walk? Brilliant Tim and amazing to think that just a few years ago even moving a few steps was too much for you! I feel the benefits of walking that you describe and I also feel that it really nurtures me. When I don’t go for a walk, which I do nearly every day I know something’s up and I need to check in with myself to find out why that nurturing is not happening.
I can relate to this Elaine: ‘When I don’t go for a walk, which I do nearly every day I know something’s up and I need to check in with myself to find out why that nurturing is not happening.’
Elaine I love the very simple and gentle way you ask your self ‘what’s up’, indicated by when you don’t chose to walk.
Thanks :))
This blog talks about the power of imperfection, of making mistakes and learning from them. This blog shows us that by not being fully committed, by not going to that extra level of care, we get to feel how these choices affect our bodies and from there make informed decisions. Tim is so without a need to control everything and have it all perfect, he has been able to genuinely commit to life and this is wonderful to read.
I agree Shami. I loved that Tim did not make his early lack of consistency a reason to stop him from choosing to make walking a part of his daily routine. Walking is such a great support, as this blog outlines, and allowing ourselves to register how we feel during and after our walk is a great way to build consistency.
Indeed Shami, Tim’s ease with imperfection is hugely refreshing, the honesty and everyday livingness of this blog is everything that this site is here to inspire.
Playfully we might say that instead of driving or moving, being driven through life to whatever goal; we but simply can walk with serenity, openness and a willingness to learn and evolve along the path that leads us back to ourselves.
Yes Shami, learning from mistakes and how what we choose impacts us physically as well as emotionally is vital for our evolution. The lack of need to control everything is very inspiring in all of Tims writing.
Great post Tim. I can absolutley relate to this as I am the queen of inconsistency. I have been having an on again off again relationship with exercise as a whole for years now. And by exercise, I mean simply walking and doing some gentle exercises at home. My excuse is always time. I actually love exercise – I love moving my body, and yet I continue to make excuses to why I can’t make time for it. Thanks for sharing that it really is about commitment to self.
I am very similar Elodie: “I am the queen of inconsistency”, I find that I might be good at starting out, but things don’t go to plan as when things get tough or I ‘don’t have the time’, or haven’t experienced ‘mind blowing benefits’ (or so I think), I make excuses why I can miss a day, which then turns into a week and so forth. This blog is great to read as an example of committing to something
I just love walking…I love how I feel when I walk, how I feel after I walk and how I can feel my whole body being energised. Walking is a daily commitment for me that really supports my day. And in winter I just love putting on my boots and hearing the click of my rhythm in every step.
Great blog Tim, it is all about commitment, and I too have found how walking clears the mind, and develops my connection to me, and my commitment to myself. It also gives me the opportunity to reflect on my commitment and other areas that I might need to look at.
Great blog on the benefits of walking. Walking is a great way to develop a relationship with the body and create a marker of understanding as to what is truly going on for us underneath the busyness of our day. It is a great time to reflect, and just brings oneself back to the simplicity of life.
That being said, the only thing I would add to this blog, is not to discount the benefits of going go the gym either. So many of us men have correlated going to the gym with the type of hard core training that you have talked about – which is in short abusive of the body. However, it does not have to be this way, and a regime for doing light weights that are more in keeping with what our body can naturally handle can be very beneficial for keeping us grounded in life.
Very true Adam, it is the connection with our body that calls for that strength training isn’t it? I had to re-train myself as I was a gym junkie, a fitness fanatic, then I threw the baby out with the bath water and did nothing, neither felt right. Excercise was not the issue but how I was exercising was what needed to be addressed. I love the gym now, doing my own thing, yet a combination of gym and walking is what my body is calling for as well as consistency. It is great to be able to appreciate things like this from reading these blogs and their comments.
Totally agree. Walking clears my head and gives my body a great feeling. After work is the best medicine, as I feel the fresh air after being inside for 12 hours, and it is so lovely to feel.
I love the way you describe commitment, it is so simple and true, I do it for me, because it brings me joy. No other reason. It feels strong.
When walking I can feel crystal clear in my whole body what is truly going on. It is as if walking does not allow me to play tricks with myself anymore and offers me the chance to honestly observe what is there to be seen and walk on in life.
I agree Michael walking has changed a lot for me since Universal Medicine. I now have the most extraordinary walk, feeling my body move in connection to my sacredness and a deep connection to God and the Universe. Walking for me now is deeply healing and the awareness that comes from walking with God and the angels is out of this world – not all the time but often there is much magic to be felt and seen and appreciated.
When we truly commit, there is purpose. Then it is not only about us any longer, but about everything and everybody. Then when you walk, you don’t just walk for yourself, but you actually walk with and for all of humanity.
Hi Tim, me too I love walking. Normally I walk during my lunch breaks and at the weekend I walk where I live. Walking supports me to release tension in my body and to let go of thoughts or things I am caught in; walking helps me to come back to me and my rhythm. I love the feeling of walking with me, and walking is such a light, simple and joyful way to exercise.
Thank you Tim for this blog about the power of walking. I love how accessible walking is to everyone. I love walking on my own and with people. Thank you for going deeper with your relationship with walking and talking about how you have learnt so much about commitment in all areas of your life from it. It has made me realise how much of a commitment I have made to walking. So this blog is also supporting me to look at other areas of my life where I bring less commitment. I actually feel way more open now to looking at aspects of behaviour such as eating foods that don’t support me and looking at it in another way. Instead of choosing to not overeat because if I overeat it will numb me out and I’ll not be able to feel anything, how about, just like you describe walking, I make the choice to not overeat because ‘I do it for me and it brings me joy.’ Walking supports and nurtures us in so many ways!
I get a sense Simone that this is how it works, whilst we try to change and ‘fix’ our imperfections it just doesn’t work, it doesn’t sit well with a soul that knows it is not imperfect, it is divinely designed. So why is supporting ourselves in all areas rather than pockets hard, how do you find walking consistently easy and I don’t yet I might find other areas slightly simpler to be consistent in? I find that it is connecting with our body and developing a way of living that encourages a two way honest conversation. We know what supports us, our body is perfectly designed to know its rhythm, we just don’t live in a way that allows opportunities for us to connect to its rhythms yet…and creating space for those conversations is clearly one of them. I am inspired by you and Tim, today is a new day to be day 1 of my walking program.
“Walking was an area in my life that had the willingness but no commitment.” This is such a great line and helped me realise that willingness is the intention, the knowing that it is something that will support me, but that the commitment is the thing that really makes me do it, this feels as a deeply caring act to myself.
Yes I found that too Lieke, that to have the distinction between willingness and commitment so clearly defined makes it much easier to assess where one is at in relation to one’s commitment to self. In my case, I have pondered on my commitment to walking and it is now firm in my diary every day to have the space for it on a daily basis.
Walking is a deeply healing space to be with nature and with God and with ourselves. As my walks have evolved I can reflect on how much I used to walk just for exercise and to almost fill a need to escape and be on my own. Now my walks are truly a space to reconnect and claim my connection and my body and feeling my body move as I walk is absolutely gorgeous!
I’ve never looked at my walk from evolutionary point of view, Josh. But your comment made me look at how my walking changed over the years. I also previously used walking as an energizing exercise or just exercise, then it changed to playful walk with my shadow, changing rhythms, doing lymphatic or vascular walk depending on the day. Now I really like walking with my friend or my daughter, sometimes talking, feeling my own rhythm as well as theirs and practicing to stay connected to my body at the same time. Fun!
I can really relate Joshua. I used to walk as a way to address my fear of gaining weight, or to get away from everything I could not deal with as a form of relief. As a result of the work of Serge Benhayon I’ve been walking connected fully to me, as a joyous way to reconnect and confirm all I am, and to feel my body. Instead of pushing my body and “pounding the pavement” to lose weight, I step with awareness of moving gently at a pace that is good for my body. Walking is now a loving, nurturing activity, and not to force my body to meet an ideal or as an escape.
Walking committed feels like fuelling yourself for the day, it’s such a great way to kick it off, a great reminder Tim as I know I get super slack with the walking at times
Thank you Tim. I like how you point out that there can be a willingness but the commitment can be lacking. I can relate to this and it makes it clearer for me and takes the judgement away that I often cast over myself when I neglect certain things even though I know how very supportive they are for my daily well being and I do really enjoy them. So it comes back to really committing and building consistency.
Yes, it is great to clearly define the difference between willingness and commitment. I can decide in my mind that something is good for me to be doing, but it is only when I feel it in my body and listen to how my body responds that I get a true sense of it. Then it becomes a natural commitment to myself and what is true.
I have had a similar experience with walking Tim. Inconsistency has been an old habit of mine and has definitely been how I have been with walking over the last few years. Rather than trying to fit it in, over the last fortnight I have made it my priority again, because I am worth it. I always return from my walk feeling so much more spacious and ready for my day. I only walk for fifteen minutes, but it feels like an hour. It also makes me much more aware of how I walk about my day. It is like the morning practice allows my body to remember how to walk that quality throughout the day.
It is the same for me Simone there is always an excuse to break the regular commitment, this is debasing for me now, and as I get so much from my walk I really value the time spent which makes me much less likely to break my walking ritual.
Beautiful inspiration Simone that our bodies remember the quality of our walk when we walk with ourselves and we take that quality into the way we walk for the rest of the day. I used to go for a walk before work but have stopped and now feel inspired to start again and I can feel how this will give me a firmer foundation for the rest of my day.
Great blog Tim I was never a great walker either, I never had time for it. Up until 4 or 5 years ago I preferred to be sitting on the back of a horse, but my body was continually being compromised, and was one of the reasons I had permanent back ache. Walking to me is now so powerful and healing and a wonderful way to start or end the day.
Tim great blog on walking, I too can relate to starting and stopping, staring and stopping walking. I like how you share it is a commitment to self, I too find walking helps with clarity, health and have more vitality. When I am walking I do enjoy it, but excuses like tiredness or not enough time has crept in in the past. I now plan to start gradually each day and make a commitment to myself to walk for me, not be harsh in case I miss a day, but just be aware how I was living to have caused to miss a day walking.
Recently I’ve found that walking for 15-20 minutes morning and evening a special time to simply enjoy the movement of my body, however this last fortnight I’ve been unwell and found that walking seemed to set off alot of coughing so I’ve heeded my body and remained inside. I’ve missed the time of being feeling my body enjoying a walk (with no agenda) and am looking forward to returning to my daily walks and the subsequent clarity and vitality.
Like you Amita I too have been reminded of my inconsistency in my walking and how important it is for me to commit back to it.
That is such a good description of what happens to our “good intentions” Tim! A burst of enthusiasm followed by tailing off and eventually giving up altogether. It is obvious that when you made the commitment for just you, and the joy of being you walking, and not for any other reason, that the rhythm of walking every day is being sustained in your life. When we are joyfully walking then the walking becomes easy and fluid, no effort.
Wow you’ve covered so much about your relationship with walking that there must be something in this article for absolutely everybody. You’ve shown that walking offers way more than a level of fitness, but what you’ve also revealed is that commitment is the ingredient that allows it to be so. Awesome.
Tim I love the way that you write about the times you have walked and the times you have stopped and then resumed with lightness and humour. The differentiation between willingness and commitment is super useful. I can see that I am very willing in many areas of my life, but without a firm commitment there is no solid foundation to keep me going when there are knocks and hurdles, external and internal, designed to get in the way.
After reading your blog you have inspired me to start walking again. I was walking regularly and enjoying this time with myself and nature but gave it away as I felt I had too much on my plate. Looking back I needed to have let something else go as the walking is a benefit to bringing me back to the connection to my body so that mind and body work in unison.
Tim I love to walk, the support that it gives me is to beautiful for words, yet it has not been something that I have committed to every day, your sharing has made me pause and ask why. Immediately I can hear a list of empty reasons. This in itself makes me realise that I have allowed my excuses to get in the way of committing to a daily walk. This has now changed in me forever. Thank you.
I have been exploring the meaning of self nurturing with walking, fine tuning the walk for exactly what my body requires on any day. There are so many ways you can walk and sync to the energy level and denseness of the body. All of them can serve to lighten it and bring vitality.
I love walking and I love your blog Tim. Walking rocks!
That’s the key Amina. When you exercise because you enjoy the activity it’s not difficult to maintain. When there is a drive, a push and a sense of gritting your teeth through it, then my experience has been I can’t keep to it.
Tim, I love the “knock on” effect that changing walking has had on your life, I have also found this to be the case and can feel the way in which, when we begin to make different choices in one aspect our lives, then it pioneers that quality for all other areas of our lives to also begin to change
Tim your blog has inspired me to start walking again. I too love walking, but I have doing the start, stop, start, stop thing. I like that you have no other agenda than to walk for the joy of it. I’ll be stepping out of my house soon to do just that.
I love what you have shared here Tim. I too enjoy walking and find it a wonderful opportunity to be with me. If I have certain issues going on, walking is a wonderful way to reconnect back to my body, to come back to me. I love feeling my feet in my shoes as I walk, feeling the sway of my hips, feeling the rhythm that I choose to walk in, feeling my breath. I also enjoy the connection that I feel to the environment that I am walking in. Plus, it is awesome exercise.
This line stands out for me Time “I do it for me and it brings me joy.” Building such a simple thing as a short walk everyday into your life is a committment worth its weight in gold. A walk can shift so much and change how you feel and our perspective on something. It simply refrehes us. An inspiring blog, thank you.
I can relate to not ever wanting to walk anywhere – and now I have been walking just about every morning for the last seven years or so, without an agenda but just for the sheer enjoyment of it. The sky looks different every morning, there are magical clouds, the sun comes up in slightly different colours and the change of the seasons is very obvious – and quite often I catch the moon as well, which is an extra treat. It is a magical time and I would not want to miss it for anything.
Likewise Tim, i find that walking consistently is very beneficial and brings clarity of mind, an in-tune body and great presence. Walking is a great time to reflect and to move through things, I treasure the space to walk with me whether i am walking alone or with others. I notice that my children benefit enormously from walking as well – they sleep better, are more content and love to walk.
I love the style you write with Tim, and a great topic. I find with walking that it is something that once I start I love doing. More and more I am using walking to support me with any challenges I have in my day, as walking gives me that space and time to connect to my body and become more aware of any stress or tension that has built up. Walking is such an underestimated way to maintain fitness and I only see me wanting to walk more and more as I recognise the quality that walking brings to my life.
Hi Tim what clicked into place for me reading this blog was the fact I have done very similar by walking regularly feeling the benefit and then stopping, its like I get to a point where I feel really good and stop either because I think ‘I’m there’ and don’t need to do anymore or maybe because this feeling good is a bit alien and lets stop that right now! I recognise that lack of commitment to my own well-being. So thank you for the nudge to look at how I develop my commitment to me and life more deeply.
I have certainly experienced the clarity that walking brings, with myself, my partner or others. Walking supports even the most difficult of issues to be read and resolved with an ease. The commitment to communicating is right up there with the commitment to walking!
This blog is really cool Tim, I loved it and have learnt a lot about myself and my own commitment to walking and life through reading each word. It’s really interesting to see how you have come from previous experience of pushing as a way to exercise and now see the benefit and vitality in simple walking every day.
Tim your beautiful honest blog ( I love how you admit, that you dropped the committment twice before. We all know these moments but don´t want to tell anyone- it feels like a failure ) is such an inspiration for me. With walking I am as well quite inconsistant and your sharing gives me a push to go back on track FOR ME. Committment is a strong thing I have to work on in my life too so I will check out what it does to shift the committment I do have in other areas to this part. Thank you!!
Hi Susan, your commitment for your day is inspiring. I want to start with some gentle exercises as well – walking every day is something I do enjoy as well most every day. I can feel how great I am when I walk with me. Every cell seam to beam and wants to get out to shine.
Great post Tim, the missing commitment to oneself is the key here. I have noticed that, too. The main reason that makes a change possible is the willingness and the commitment to self, that I am worth it to make adjustments for the own health and my body, because the love for myself. If we do the change for someone to be liked, or to loose weight for more recognition we will fail.
Awesome Tim, I have always loved walking and the feeling it left me with. The best feelings are the one’s I get after I go for a walk for me, and not to keep my weight down, take the dog out or get away from the house, or whoever was in it, which seemed more like a chore sometimes. Recently my commitment has dwindled with regard to my walking during my lunch time at work. I always used to do this on a regular basis, but recently have been feeling a little tired and I have been having a nap in the car instead. From what you are sharing, maybe it would be better for me to commit to going for a walk instead of a nap, that way I would feel clearer in the afternoon instead of ‘dragging my heels’ back to the office. My commitment to walking at work has been renewed, thank you Tim.
Tim I enjoy my morning walk, but in the past illness has prevented me doing so for a few months and after having been a walker ( for years with dogs ) it was hard to accept. Walking adds the pleasure of meeting others or time alone, and quite often the magic of God appears in some form. A Hot Air Balloon passing overhead or a beautiful sunrise often beautiful Rosella parrots and little Blue wrens feeding near the river, so thank you Tim for your sharing.
Thanks for the reminder that ‘every step matters’ as I can get caught in just getting from A to B and staying in my head. It is so beautiful when I choose to be with me and go for a walk and I am inspired to make a commitment to do this every day rather than sometimes just incorporating it into a necessary task like walking the dog when I often do not bring my presence to the activity but am just going through the motions.
I love this, Tim. There are so many things we do in life because we ‘should’, and it is great to feel the difference here – the joy in walking because you truly enjoy how it makes you feel. And it clearly supports you throughout the rest of the day to take of yourself and be committed in this consistent way.
Very true Janet. I deeply appreciate walking. I was always a runner and it was all about endorphins and physicality.
I found it difficult to walk for a long time as this required me to be present in my body which i had spent life up until that point avoiding. I now cherish walking, i love how my body feels when i walk and I love the ease and grace which flows through me. It isn’t a feel good moment that is fleeting and needs to be topped up constantly but is a quality that is me, that lives with me throughout the day and is confirmed when i walk. Walking confirms me and my choices and is a great opportunity to get to know me more deeply and to put life in perspective.
Yes Janet, this point stood out for me too… that we often exercise or do things because we should rather than feeling what truly supports us. By feeling this it becomes easier to make the commitment to it.
Tim, I just love the way you write. You have me right there from the start to end. I am sure you could talk to anyone who is not into walking and by the end of your conversation they would be thinking about giving it ago again. Thank you for such a genuine and real article.
I love this article Tim, I can very much relate to what you have written, I walked every day for about a year and loved this time to be with me, it was a joyful start to the day and very supportive for me and then I went overseas and stopped my walk and let it slide from there, i have missed my walk greatly and feel very inspired and to make a commitment to walk again and to not allow the excuses and my sometimes laziness to stop me from walking.
Great inspirational blog, Tim, – that’s all for now, ’cause I’m going for a walk..!
I am going for a walk now too 😀
Quite apart from the absolute gold that is contained within this blog about walking, what really touched me was the amazing gentleness and spaciousness with which you are coming to your exercise/walking. This is so huge – especially from a man. You only have to spend three seconds in a gym or four seconds in front of the magazine stands to appreciate the game-changing way in which you are approaching exercise and care for yourself. I go to the gyms often – all over the world – and have never, ever seen anyone exercising “in joy.” NEVER
That’s a very worthwhile point Otto. Gym’s are not designed for that level of self care. What Tim has shared is so so important for everyone, but particularly to show men that as a man he is no less for approaching his exercise routine with consideration for his body first. Showing them that in fact there is another way to be with your body that does not push it to the point of vomiting and creating a hardness that is then carried out into all areas of their lives.
Your comment make me laugh, Otto. Because I am going on my walk to the park in the morning, looking around, appreciating trees, birds, beautiful skies – and passing the gym on the corner with big glass windows. I can see people on the machines, sweating, pumping, breathing heavily, looking exhausted even on Monday morning-and as you mentioned I never seen anyone smiling or enjoying themselves. So different from Tim and other people on this site I feel.
Same experience with me – no matter if I look at women or men, I have never seen anyone training with joy and gentleness. I can sense the “joy” some people feel when they have trained so hard that their body hurts. So they are even able to “feel” their body. But as I have experienced no matter with gentle exercises, esoteric yoga or walks: there is another way to feel the body! It is simply through connecting with it first.
Im with you on this one Tim, I have been walking every morning for over 2 years now and it is a beautiful part of my day. I love being outside in nature and even though we live in the centre of a city we have a river near by which is my regular spot for walking along. Walking gives me a great marker for how I am that day, some days I will feel light and bright others more heavy in body. Walking gives me a great opportunity to connect back to me and enjoy myself and life all around me.
Great point Samantha. Walking is a great activity to check back in with yourself as to where you are at and how the body is feeling. In doing this it offers a connection back to yourself instead of being in your head with many thoughts racing around.
What I love about walking is the clarity it brings me. While walking I am much better able to observe and this is enormously helpful. My walking routine differs from a 10 minutes walk to walking an hour depending on my schedule but most of all depending on what my body is asking. Another thing I love about walking is being outside, no matter what season.
I love walking too Tim, I always have done. As a child I walked a mile to school every day instead of catching the bus. I love walking in nature and do this whenever I can. I choose to walk further than I need to before I get on the bus each morning. It supports me in my health and lifts my mood. I love to appreciate things and people around me as I walk. If I ever don’t walk for some reason I really notice the difference. I am sluggish and moody and struggle to get through the day. I can relate to the joy you find in walking.
I have recognized this as well Rebecca. When I do not make it to go for a walk for whatever reason I feel sluggish and might get moody because my body then misses the movement and excersise.
Tim , I love what you have weitten about commitment:
I don’t do it to get fit, I don’t do it because I should, I don’t do it for anyone else. I do it for me and it brings me joy.
This is a great recipy to commit. I had a aha experience lately where I realized commitment is pure love and how much fun and support it is to be commitet to love.
I know this feeling well Susan, when I don’t allow time for me to exercise… the foggy head, my thoughts all muddled and a feeling of sluggishness or tiredness in my body. I’ve found then I feel so much better after exercising and go from feeling like a need to sleep to feeling ready and full of energy. Really if I know this, its interesting why its the first thing to go from my day.
Such a support to read this today Tim. I love walking, I love how I feel at the end of it, I love what I see and feel along the way and I love what I work out by talking with myself or with my husband, but like you I don’t commit to this as a regular part of my day. I had not considered this before now – “Walking was an area in my life that had the willingness but no commitment.” I can see that there is willingness in so many things I do but the lack of commitment is when they easily drop off.
Tim thank what you share about walking is offered so simply and honestly that we can all relate to it. We can so easily overlook the importance of walking regularly. I know it’s important to make every walk purposeful, for example, from bedroom to bathroom, from home to the tube. But nothing matches taking ourselves outside for walks, especially in parks, gardens and nature generally. The nature of my work doesn’t allow me to take daily walks outside and though I exercise in other ways, I can feel the effect this has on my mind and body. Walking helps me reflect, clears my mind and supports my general wellbeing. I love that you’ve re-committed to walk regularly. Thank you for distinguishing the difference between having a willingness and actually committing to walking regularly.
Hi Tim thank you for sharing. Yes, yes yes, I am so with you the utter joy of walking in one’s own rhythm is something to appreciate and celebrate. There is no doubt about that. What a great turnaround from not liking to walk.
I grew up in a family where going for a walk was just part of every day life and I have always enjoyed it. When I lived and worked in London with no dog to exercise I went for a walk at lunch time as well as walking part of the way to and from work or my head would become cloudy and I could tell my quality of work fell away. When I have been ill and unable to walk I know I am well on the road to recovery when I am able to go for a walk again and walking becomes part of my daily rhythm.
Tim this line resonated so strongly with me. “Commitment is not about perfection.” I can be really hard on myself sometimes so this line was beautiful to hear and feel. Thank you.
A great sharing Tim. Thank you. I love how you now just walk because you enjoy it and enjoy being with you- how far you have come from the heavy weights and martial arts harden up mentality. It’s great that you preference feeling connected to your body and being tender over intensive gardening exercise.
Commitment and consistency are the two words that struck me when reading your blog Tim.
You sharing your experiences and wisdom is a lovely gentle reminder to commit, with purpose and joy, to my daily walk.
In fact to walk with purpose and joy whenever and wherever I walk.
Tim I love your blog. It is so great to read so clearly that it is really the commitment to make it part of our rhythm – the benefits you describe are awesome and I have also experienced the same. I can also say that the commitment on my part has not been consistent and I feel truly inspired now to make it a priority to walk with me every day. Thank you for you wonderful sharing here.
I really love that you walk for you. It feels to me that the commitment is not about sticking to a routine or a chosen activity, it is about you committing to yourself first. This makes so much sense why certain choices feel like discipline and very difficult to stay with.
Good point, Fumiyo. I can see now why I’ve been struggling with some of the things which I am supposed to do or recommended to put in practice. It sounds good and reasonable but without my commitment to myself nothing is working and doesn’t make sense. Thank you.
One of the things I deeply appreciate about the teachings of the Ancient Wisdom and Universal Medicine is the true simplicity of things. And the simplicity of walking is a good example of this: what Tim expresses at the beginning of his blog about his old concepts of what ‘proper fitness’ was and that involved gym and cardiovascular workouts that involved strenuous pushing, would be common concepts that many of us hold. This sort of thinking (and it applies to all sorts of areas of life) sets us up for a round of achieving, striving and not feeling good enough when we fail, complication in other words. Often in truth the activity itself can be unnecessary when it is actually placed in the context of our lives – just like the way Tim has found that walking is sufficient to maintain the level of health he requires.
I can feel how lovely you are Tim. I also enjoyed your blog and the very powerful message behind it which is about commitment.
‘In everything we do in life we have a choice. Walking was an area in my life that had the willingness but no commitment. I am committed in most areas of my life so I chose to bring that same level of commitment to walking.’
Thank you for inspiring me and the world to feel committed to life one step at a time 🙂
Tim beautifully reminds us that every area of our life deserves if not requires the same level of commitment to make life a whole, otherwise sooner or later those areas we have neglected will also effect those which are actually working well. Life is a whole and we need to consider the whole to keep balance and harmony.
The side-effect of not looking at what I’ve neglected was never as much in focus as it is through yur comment, Alex! Thank you*
Well said Alex – it is so easy and familiar to just live life ‘in compartments’ in various areas of our life and not bring the same, equal commitment and consistency to all.
This is something I am bringing more awareness to and the discrepancies are being exposed to work on – it is simply impossible to live fully from Love with various sections in play – for example how we are at work, home, with friends or children etc – are we consistent or different within each area and never actually knowing who we are in these multiple personas?
To compartmentalize life is just another form of protection, living a measured life and being irresponsible (ouch).
As you say, it is all one and the same.
“Life is a whole and we need to consider the whole to keep balance and harmony”.
Tim, you’ve now inspired me to start walking. I know I feel a lot more clearer when I do and it’s gorgeous to get outside and enjoy what’s around. Time to get my walking shoes on…
This is a great blog Tim, you have shown there is so much more to walking that using it as a simple exercise limited to some physical, but it is so much more. You have shared how it is an opportunity to be with you, to share with your wife, to develop consistency but the big word that i was captured by was COMMITMENT. It was when you made the commitment it changed everything. From walking to commitment and walking in commitment is very inspirational…i am off to put my walking shoes on!
Reading through your blog and the many comments I can feel that I have had a very negative idea about commitment. To me it was usually staying with something I really didn’t want to do, like really pushing myself in study. Growing up I saw people committed to relationships they were not enjoying being in. Exercise was the same, pushing the body to get results no matter how awful it felt because they were “committed”. What I’ve realised reading this that the true meaning of commitment is sticking with everything that is loving and truly supportive for ourselves, and we know these things because they bring something wonderful into our lives. I can easily let the negatives in life, issues and situations etc, get in the way of committing to self love everyday. Time to put love first.
And Tim, I just love how you say “I do it for me and it brings me joy.” Simply gorgeous!
Thank you Tim for your reminder that consistency in one area of our lives flows into other areas. You really understand the power of walking, that it is such a healing activity for the body and mind. I really enjoyed reading your inspiring blog.
I share the joy you shared on walking too Tim! Not only did the consistency and commitment of a morning walk benefitted health and well-being, it began a relationship with my body that I did not have before, and that deepened expression to support situations which felt challenging. Walking consistently have opened up a joy of connecting with my feet on the ground, the love that is felt in each step then confirming throughout the whole body. What an amazing way to start each day, committed to being the fullness of our true self and to life—when I take a selfie during morning walks and share it on social media, it initiates the same joy in others–we know joy is possible and very accessible through the consistency of our daily choices.
You are right, Adele, about the relationship with the body which we make stronger and more loving during a walk. I love your selfies! It does bring joy seeing your smiley face.
How timely that I should read your blog on walking today, because much as I love walking ,I have not walked since things got in the way a month ago, and I am feeling the ill-effect. You have reminded me of the value that a daily walk brings, and inspired me to re-commit to caring for myself in this way. Thank you for sharing your experience Tim.
Thank you Tim for your story. I used to push myself really hard with exercise and even walking – too far, too long and too fast. When I look back at how I used to exercise its no wonder I find it a challenge to commit now as I never truly enjoyed it as I was treating myself in such a rough way. This was what everyone was doing, the mentality around exercise was push yourself under the motto “No pain, no gain.” Your blog has inspired me to commit to gentle exercise, with the word gentle being the thing I’m committing to.
Thank you Tim I love what you have shared. What you have highlighted is how powerful walking is in many ways. I have also found how though my commitment to walking that it has offered me the opportunity to build a foundation of commitment to myself and what supports and serves my connection to me. Making a commitment to walking has also supported me in developing a consistency in my life where my commitment was not so strong and often wavered.
Going for a walk is so much more than ‘going for a walk’. I found that there are several ways to walk, one being where I just let myself go, which allows me to be caught in my head and thinking about things. Another is where I choose me and my body. When I choose the latter, it really exposes to me how easily I can not be with me, but when I do, the walking really floods my body with stillness. As we walk between everything that we do, it is super important how I walk. In the past, I have been caught just wanting to get to B from A and that it is all about just getting to B, when actually the bit between A and B is the important part. This is even between walking from the kitchen to the lounge or my bedroom, every step matters.
So beautifully expressed Tim and I can feel the difference with commitment added in. Matthew what you are sharing is so true- it is so easy to be on automatic pilot when walking and this is about the commitment to self that Tim is talking about. To be totally present when walking is a gift for yourself and all those people you are passing as well as the energy being grounded to earth and nature gets it too!
Absolutely Matthew. There are a plethora of walks and a plethora of intentions we can walk with.
I love walking and thoroughly enjoy feeling my body as I walk, feeling the grace and power in my step and all the benefits that come from walking daily such as a clearer mind and more confidence.
Yes me too Johanna, and I find it calms me and brings me fully back into myself if I had allowed myself to get caught up in something and sat in my head too long.
Matthew thanks for pointing out how important it is to be aware of whats happening between A and B. I know I can get caught up in just achieving the end goal, but its about enjoying life in every moment, not just the final destination.
I agree Matthew there is more to ‘going for a walk’ then just putting your shoes on and walking. I have noticed there are a few different ways I can walk in also and when I stay very present and aware of my body it does feel different to when I am distracted and my mind is off somewhere else trying to solve every issue. And how my body and mind feels at the end of the walk will vary depending on how I have walked.
It’s easy to make excuses and give up in areas of my life, and feel it’s all to difficult, which is a pattern I have had all of my life, but by building routines, such as my daily walk it builds a solid foundation and rhythm into my day that supports me in other areas. Thank you Tim for the inspiration and commitment you have for life for it helps us all commit more, firstly to ourselves and then all others in life.
Love your sense of humour Tim. What I found so interesting is that despite the fact that I have always loved walking, I could relate to so much of what you have shared. Also, such a great example of just how tricky the spirit (or mind) is “Within a couple of weeks I noticed my fitness was increasing, my thoughts were a lot clearer and I really enjoyed just being with me. When I went walking with my wife we had the chance to talk about what was going on for us and we were able to clear many issues.” One would think it would be a natural ‘no-brainer’ to stick to doing something with so many obvious benefits – but oh no, we still choose to allow the wheels to fall off one by one until we grind to a stop.
True Tamara, Tim exposes the pattern we have, and not just with walking, to start a project with all the willingness in the world, and as you say a little way down the line. just as we’re settling in to the new rhythm, spirit comes in. And within a blink of an eyelid ‘we allow the wheels to fall off one by one until we grind to a stop’. Beautifully expressed.
I needed to hear this today Tim – thank you! When winter arrived my walking dropped off. And I miss it so much – my body misses it and I miss the opportunity to be with me. What happens then is the times where I used to walk have filled up with other commitments. After reading this blog and with Spring now arrived, it is time to recommit to me. For me it has a lot to do with self worth – do I value an outcome of some sort over and above begin with me and looking after my body?
Like Helen Simkins, I also look forward to the time I’m on your bus in Oxford Street (I’m there in December) and love reading that you laugh at your own jokes. That really tickles me. Thanks heaps Tim.
I agree Michelle, there is such a big gap between willingness and commitment, I am currently learning more and more about this difference. I tend to want to make “commitment” a bigger thing that it needs to be, something that requires much more than a simple choice!
I can relate to making ‘commitment’ into something heavy that then weighs me down so much lighter to recognise it is a simple choice and that I am choosing me.
Willingness is like a flag in the wind, turns left then right and sometimes up side down. Commitment is a consistent and thoroughly foundation you build.
What a transformation Tim, not just talking the talk but walking the walk, by committing daily to being with you and walking. I have found myself by committing to walk daily has had a knock on affect in other areas of my life, most of my life I have always walked every day but often didn’t really connect to my body and how I was feeling. I now walk (and to the best of my ability) stay connected to my hands and feet and what I’m feeling in my body, this helps me stay more present with my body throughout the day, and give me a reference point to come back to if I get stressed or anxious.
Tim this is great and if walking ever needed a caption you have caught it right here, “Within a couple of weeks I noticed my fitness was increasing, my thoughts were a lot clearer and I really enjoyed just being with me.” Why would we not want to do something as simple as walking when the above benefits are available to us. Thank you for sharing Tim.
Well said Caroline, why wouldn’t we want to do something as simple as walking when so many benefits are available to the body. Key is cracking the comfort and getting out against the sticky mind that wants to stay cosy and lazy.
I also experience, the more I go for a walk, the more I can appreciate walking. It has definitely so many benefits. My head is becoming much clearer, my body feels better and better. I could have never imaged before, that walking is so powerful.
An inspiring blog Tim I love the way you have described how your commitment to walking has had a positive effect on other areas of your life. And most importantly a reminder for me when I am walking is your statement “I do it for me and it brings me joy”.
Another great blog Tim. Highlighting the difference between willingness and commitment makes me realise that I’m willing to do a number of things but lack the commitment. A good wake up call.
Same for me, it is easy or plain comfortable to confuse willingness with commitment as it keeps me in the illusion I really would do everything needed, but actually do not move anything wondering why things keep as they are.
The commitment changes everything. We can have the intention and will to do something, but unless we actually do it, nothing changes. All the intention in the world means nothing unless we commit to it.
Thank you Tim for a great blog, especially the emphasis on commitment. I walk twice a week with a friend in a beautiful setting around a lake. But I have to drive there, about 10 minutes or so and the return walk takes about 1-1/4 hrs. I have tried walking near my home, but it is pretty rough going, and I find that I don’t develop that beautiful rhythm because of the small tussocks and unevenness on the grass that has no pathway. I am feeling the need to really make a commitment for a walk of at least 20 minutes a day. I know just how great I feel after the 2 long walks I do each week, so now you have inspired me to work out a way to have the 20 minute walks (with myself) on the other days of the week. I can feel that my body really needs this, and it is such a great way to truly be with myself, and know how it clears the cobwebs away from my head. And yes, Tim, I can see how making this true commitment will help me with other parts of my life. Since I committed to the expression program, I have found it easier and easier, and now am more committed to other things in my life. Thank you for the inspiration to bring this same commitment into a regular walk every day of the week, to set yet another pattern of commitment into my life.
It is so simple, we tend to overlook the power walking has. It is beautiful to read the difference consistently adding walking to your life has brought Tim. When you consider all the amazing side effects that walking brings, perhaps we will all begin to see that when we walk, we walk for humanity.
I love this Joseph: “… when we walk, we walk for humanity.:
I love how you take it wider for us all Joseph by describing that we walk not only for ourselves but for humanity. To bring the focus back to how and in what quality that I walk me, reminds me of the energetic imprints I leave for others on the ground and the responsibility attached to that.
A beautiful reminder Joseph Barker – as we walk with ourselves in a true rhythm and harmony, we walk for humanity.
The wider picture is always there to be considered in the quality of energy every single step and movement we make.
Yes Joseph, I used to believe walking was a bit of a waste of time and that running was where it was at. What i notice more and more now is that not only is walking amazingly supportive to my physical and mental health, but it is the quality of awareness I bring to my body that makes the walk even more supportive. The effect on relieving stress by walking with full awareness of my musculature and the tensions I hold has been immense, feeling different parts of my body and how certain parts of the body impact on the movement of other parts. The power of walking indeed.
I am pretty committed to life but also wax and wane with my walking – it only happens when everything else is done and if I have spare time. I love how you share that you made a commitment to walking, a commitment to you. I am inspired to do the same as I have also felt the benefits of walking. Thank you Tim.
I agree Carmin, I do walk regularly now, but feel I need to make a bigger commitment to walk with all of me on a daily basis, and not miss on days when I’m too busy.
Tim you have summed up clearly the importance of walking, however for a few reasons I have been erratic which is strange because I love walking. So to look at the choices to not be consistent… Good one thank you Tim sharing your commitment and the support it offers.
Tim I love how whatever we are experiencing in life there is a loving reflection to support us. I love walking and always have. And to the greater extent I’ve been very consistent and I thought committed. But recently I have allowed the walking to take a back seat to ‘other’ things. I thought I would re-jig my routine and rationalized that It would be simpler to fit it in at other times. Effectively I have dropped being committed to walking and appreciating all the wonderful things it brings me in it’s unique way. I started to ponder why I haven’t been feeling so great and I came back to the fact that I’m not committing to walking. As you offer Tim, it isn’t just about the exercise it is about honouring our well being and supporting our honouring as a reflection to our commitment to honouring our lives and the flow-on affect this offers humanity. Thank you for such a loving timely reflection.
Awesome Tim, love your commitment and honesty. I used to find taking time out for a walk by myself something very difficult to do. I never seem to feel I have time to do it. I would make up lots of excuses. Since we adopted a dog I started going for daily walks, now I realise that it would be a very loving thing to take regular walks for me not for anyone or for my dog, but do it for myself. Your blog Tim, is inspiring me to commit to walking daily, making it a quality time for me. Thank you!
Tim I can totally relate to all your amazing benefits of committing to walking. I have been a bit hit and miss with a regular commitment due to completing other work in the early morning and often not feeling like it after work. What I really liked was not making it about the length of time as I can see if I don’t have at least half an hour, I won’t bother. From what you have shared I feel a more regular commitment coming on! Thank you.
Great sharing Tim, commitment is the key!
I agree Tim, walking to me is so much more than exercise. For a few years now I have consistently been walking in the mornings which is part of my setting up for the day, it is a chance for me to really check in with how I am feeling in my body, but also what I find is it allows the space for any ‘mind chatter’ I may have to fade into the back ground. This time has become so important to me that if I don’t for whatever reason get to have it, it feels like something is missing, like going to work without remembering to brush my teeth, it just doesn’t feel right.
This is a blog to bookmark and come back to whenever I need a pep talk equivalent about my commitment to getting out there for a walk. How you describe what walking has meant to you and done for you has got me reaching for my shoes. A really inspirational blog. Thanks, Tim.
I love walking and wanted to reiterate how good it is on so many levels… clarity, mood, exercise, communication, expression. There are so many ways it can subtly shift what is going on, and it’s that subtle nudge I like best. Having done the same sort of punishing exercise regime as you describe Tim, to find something gentle that keeps me in good shape brings with it a real appreciation. The consistency can sometimes waver, but the lack is felt and it quickly returns…
Isn’t that a total new approach to walking and exercising, to be honouring and loving towards self without the push and hardness. I really love this way walking with the body in total awareness what he needs, and not perfect all the time, just honest, committed and loving.
I too love walking Tim. I had dogs for 15 years and so walked pretty much every day in all weathers. Now that they’ve gone, I still love to walk most days and now incorporate it into my getting to work routine on week days by getting off the train a stop or two earlier, and walking to my work. I love it and find it sets me up for my day ahead, and helps me maintain my energy levels during the day.
I can relate Sandra for walking daily for so many years to exercise my dogs. Now they are gone why would I not have the same care and honour myself by doing that for myself.
That is a really Brilliant Idea Sandra. Now everyone that catches public stansport to work has no excuse for not walking. And I love how you have said ” I love it and find it sets me up for my day ahead, and helps me maintain my energy levels during the day” Superb
It is amazing how a simple walk can change your whole live, when I started walking consistently everyday, I discovered how it changed my connection with my body and how I am in life. It is beautiful how something that simple does have such an effect in everything we do, it clearly shows that everything we do in life matters.
Well said Benkt, ‘It is amazing how a simple walk can change your whole live…’ and yet it does when we walk with the consistency and commitment. It gives us also the opportunity to appreciate ourselves and our body by simply enjoying being with ourself in the walk….
Yes very simply and beautifully expressed Benkt. “it clearly shows that everything we do in life matters.”
Agreed, something so simple like walking can have a massive impact on ones life and connection to oneself.
I am sooooo inspired by this Tim and can relate so much to the willingness being there but the commitment not matching it. I have beaten myself up about it plenty, and can so clearly see all this does is continue the pattern. Your blog has given me the inspiration and support to truly and deeply commit this time to walking daily. I love it, my body loves it and I feel enormous benefits when I do walk regularly. Thank you.
Same for me Lucy, i haven’t committed to walking although i know how much i benefit and actually enjoy it. This is simply inspiring…i off to put on the walking shoes, with the willingness and our new friends – COMMITMENT.
I have emphysema and a dog. Umm! so what! I walk every day just to give my lungs a work out, I only have about a third of my original lung capacity so as you can imagine it is a very gentle work out but this regime keeps my condition from deteriorating, it’s been about the same for the last five years.
My dog loves to walk too, we go to the beach just about everyday at low tide and walk on the hard sand. It is our favourite part of the day.
Tim, I really enjoyed reading this and you have inspired a deeper commitment for me to walk more. I love it too and have let other things take me away from it recently. This is always quite noticable in my body and the quality of freedom of flow and connection within myself and in my thinking is definitely lessened when I don’t walk just for the enjoyment of being out in nature with myself and others.
This is brilliant, Tim. I have recently committed myself to walking every day as well, and I have found it a great support in so many ways. It is amazing that something so simple and that I used to take for granted can have such a profound impact on so much more than just my fitness levels.
A wonderful blog Tim. I enjoy walking and have found it to be a great way to reconnect to, and feel how my body is. How I have been prior to the walk – in momentum, contracted or in my head to much, is all reflected back to me in how my body is during the walk. The walk then gives me the opportunity to bring myself back to a beautiful state of stillness. Stillness in motion.
A great account of the importance of both walking and commitment. For the last couple of years I have been for a walk everyday to take the dog for a walk. However, I have just recently decided to take a regular short walk everyday on my own for myself and it is very different. Initially I was not managing it everyday and, “I am committed in most areas of my life so I chose to bring that same level of commitment to walking”. The result is that I have only missed one day and as you say I am already seeing and feeling a ripple effect into other aspects of my live. As you say the answer is simply commitment.
I love the way you write Tim and your blogs are always enjoyable to read. Commitment is the key to everything and changes how we do things. At the beginning it can seem like a chore or a slog but once the commitment is consistent then it begins to flow and it just naturally fits into the day. What I love about walking is that I can feel a rhythm and in this rhythm the walk becomes light and easy and there is no effort or pushing and there is nothing compromising the body.
Thank you Tim for sharing your experiences. I use walking everyday as a way to feel me and be with me, particularly when I’m in the workplace and moving from different parts of the building. My walk supports me to stay with myself and my body. I love to feel the flow and rhythm of my walk, the way my body moves and the soles of my feet on the floor.
This is gorgeous Marcia. I also love the feeling in my body when I walk. The sway of my hips, the flow and rhythm of my walk and the connection I have to the world. It seems to keep me on purpose. 🙂
Walking for me is essential to my over all wellbeing, mental health, physical health all improve with this very simple of exercise habits walking. Costs nothing, no equipment needed, it is utterly brilliant and encourage anyone to take the time to walk even for 15mins a day. I have been inspired by other blogs about walking after work, I am yet to do this but feel it would really be supportive as well as the morning walk to start the day clear and present.
Wow Tim what a great blog. This inspirers me deeply to commit more to daily walking, I walk every day to my job but I feel a moment to walk for me with me would be very supportive for my vitality. Thank you for sharing, amazing.
Thank you Tim. It was great to read how your feelings about walking have changed and just how much the simple act of committing to walking regularly has supported all areas of your life and not just your fitness levels.
It is amazing to hear how walking has shown you so much about your commitment to yourself and to life. It is a commitment to the quality of walking that I find most exposing in my everyday walks. Sometimes I have been very racy and thus disconnected from my body and other times I feel so confirmed deeply with myself. This is simply a marker of where I have been during my day.
Yes that is beautiful Joshua. Walking is a great way to feel where I am at and also to bring me back to the quality I would love to move in.
Very true Joshua – walking is such a great reflection to myself and to my life. Walking is so precious, I can only recommend it to everybody, it is so much joy to walk in my rhythm with all the nature and people around me.
Tim I love the distinction you make between willingness and commitment regarding walking and you have summed it up very simple I don’t do it because I should , I don’t do it to get fit , I don’t do it for anyone else. I do it for me and it brings me joy. Yes absolutely Tim walking brings joy!
Thank you very much for your blog Tim so now I finally got the answer! Last year and I am sure I did my walks everyday for a good two years, but maybe because things were different at work, it was another excuse for me to stop it. But eventually I started again since May this year which makes a great difference to my everyday life.
I have to say Tim Bowyer, that every so often I read a blog that just fits me to a tee, and this is that blog! I have often felt a conflict between going for a walk, which I know will benefit me in many ways, and doing something more ‘important’ or of a ‘higher priority’ because it is on a ‘TO DO’ list. The trouble is, these are usually more sedentary tasks and so my body doesn’t get any benefit at all. I am inspired to write ‘GO FOR A WALK’ at the top of all my future ‘TO DO’ lists as a result of reading your truly inspirational blog!
Great idea Jonathan! My ‘to do’ list might read:
– remember you have a body, and remember how much you love to go for a walk
– this is more important now than sitting for another 2 hours on your computer
– Remember you always feel better and more vital after going for a walk and the things you need ‘to do’ get done in half the time afterwards
– You love being in nature and seeing what is out there as you walk
– and your so WORTH IT!
That is a great supporting ‘to do’ list Aimee , I think I might copy it. Especially this point ‘Remember you always feel better and more vital after going for a walk and the things you need to do get done in half the time afterwards’. The flow walking brings within your body works through in all the activity’s you do afterwards.
I like that Jonathan. I am a great one for making lists. I think I will do the same and put GO FOR A WALK at the top of my daily list. I know in the past I have said I don’t have enough time, but the benefits that walking bring me mean I can carry out my to-do list in a much better frame of mind and I end up being more productive and less cranky, because I have done something for me.
This is beautiful Tim and such an honest sharing of the benefits and commitment you have made and the real joy of walking you have found for yourself. I love reading it so much as it confirms my love of walking also and all you say. Walking has been a daily constant throughout my life as long as I can remember , it brings joy and is my absolute support with life and all it brings. I cannot remember a day I have not walked and the strength of this I can really appreciate from your blog. It may not be a very long walk but it allows space and vitality in my life and combined with the appreciation and love I am learning thanks to Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine, brings a true balance and an expansive healthy way of living full of joy and understanding. Sharing a walk with my husband and others is a real treat also adding communication and a deeper connection for all. Thank you for this revelation Tim.
I love walking. Walking brings me back to myself and it is healing for me. I love doing it on my own and also with a friend or a coach client. Feeling my feet on the ground and feeling my body move is the perfect way to connect to myself. I get more energy from it and just like you, Tim, clear in my head. While studying this week for an exam, sometimes getting too heady, the walk supported me to let go of the thinking or confirmed the awesome feeling I already had in my body.
It is great to read about times you were able to commit and when it dropped off. I have also found how valuable it can be to have one thing that I commit to everyday that is just for me and like you I have had periods when this is easy and then when things get tough or busy it is often the first thing that disappears, yet it is actually the thing that supports me most. I agree commitment and dedication to oneself is a key to making it work.
It is amazing what 15 minutes a day as a possibility bring to our life in terms of how we have lived so far and how much of oneself one can discover: (do you commit? do you enjoy being in your own presence? are you playful with yourself? do you feel energy when you walk? do you feel other people when you walk in public places? can you fix your thoughts to what is happening in your body? Etc.). Walking is life changing… and is just walking.
This is a great way to put it Eduardo! All of that in fifteen minutes! My fifteen minute walks feel like I have been walking for hours because of how much shifts and changes in that time. Amazing and yes, so simple yet so life changing.
So true Eduardo. Walking looks so simple but there is so much gold in there. Each and every walk is so supportive. I used to think that only rigorous exercise was worthwhile, and I am so grateful to now see how that’s not true and have so much appreciation for the humble walk.
That’s true Eduardo, there’s a whole lot more to walking, than just putting one foot in front of another!
Absolutely Eduardo, Walking is life changing, what you have shared is enormous and all things that can be consistently developed to bring a greater awareness to ourselves, and with that a greater degree of sensitivity for the way in which we move around
Tim, I love this blog because of the added benefit of commitment. This is very inspiring as it shows that ANYTHING is possible if and when we choose to commit. When I have made the decision to commit in one area of my life, I really see the changes in other areas and it also allows me to see areas that I have become uncommitted to. I also like the fact that you share that you now have a reference point within yourself, due to how you feel,as a result of the consistent walking. Having that clear marker is really important as I find that it’s very encouraging and enables us to continue with making beneficial changes.
I love what you are offering here Shevon and I have found that in my life too. The areas we have not committed to just stand out like a sore thumb. Which is very beautiful because it gives us the opportunity to bring evolution to everything in our life.
Thank you Tim for sharing, and for being so inspiring! I absolutely love walking, and especially walking and talking, I find it very supportive to discuss any issues whilst walking together. The commitment to walk every day I find amazing, and I will have to look at that. You really have inspired me. It’s very important for me as I sit all day, so whenever I do walk, my body loves it.
Walking, just walking, allows us to connect to our inner heart and this changes the energy of our body completely right in that instance. Over time this connection becomes easier and the body benefits more and more and we feel better and better. Walking and connecting is a great combination.
Yes, Christoph, I agree with you,” walking allows us to connect to our inner heart and this changes the energy of our body completely right in that instance.” Thank you for highlighting this very important point. More regular walking for me, once I commit to that, I know that the time (space) will be there for it.
Yes it is – walking and connecting is great and such a self healing program, when done with commitment for self.
Great point Christoph. I have noticed that when I am teaching in the classroom. The way I walk can influence not only the energy in my body in a few steps, but how the whole room feels.
Yes, Simone and I notice this walking around the house too. I usually use my walks up and down our corridor and stairs as a way to check in, bring myself back or just walk in my absoluteness.
I love walking too Tim. It is such a simple thing to do and yet there is so much more to it than meets the eye. I enjoy the rhythm my body falls into when I walk and I find it very easy to really be with myself, and meet myself. My partner and I have made the commitment to only discuss issues whilst we are walking, it really helps clear things and bring things to light in a very supportive way. Walking is an under appreciated gem and everyone should do it!
This is great Josephine and given what many are saying regarding the benefits of walking it makes sense that walking is considered a important step to supporting oneself when experiencing many forms of mental and physical illness, we used to say ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’, now we can say ‘a walk a day keeps the doctor away’. Who knew something so simple and easy could have such a significant benefit to our health!
I have been wanting to start walking again but haven’t brought in the commitment. It doesn’t make sense that I put off something that always makes me feel more flexible and solid within myself. This has been inspiring for me to read, thank you Tim.
It’s true Tim I have discovered the same: consistency and commitment in one area of our lives has an amazing effect on everything else and brings us such a solid foundation.
Same same, Josephine and Tim and no doubt many others, doing something with commitment and consistency affects every part of your life, walking definitely impacts positively in all ways. I walk in the morning and it is so important to my body that if I miss it I really miss it, so much so that that rarely happens.
Bringing consistency to walking everyday, does indeed allow for a beautiful rhythm to develop whereby it is quite effortless to maintain the commitment to walk for myself. It also allows the building of a solid foundation of feeling my body as the main rudder for my daily life.
That’s what I keep noticing, Josephine, everything is connected, all areas of our life are one and the same. Without consistency nothing is working in long run. The same with commitment. This two CC’s support each other and bring so much power into our life.
This part of the blog stood out for me too Josephine, how the commitment and consistency that Tim had mastered in other areas of his life supported him to develop his commitment with his walking routine. I often take the areas of ‘mastery’ in my life for granted, and as small and relatively insignificant as they may sometimes seem, I can see how important it is to appreciate and confirm these strengths and draw on the support they offer in developing other aspects of my foundation that aren’t as strong.
Walking is a huge thing. We walk everywhere, all the time. How present we are when we walk and how we feel in our body from our feet to our ankles, knees and hips is not well considered. We almost take walking for granted, it is just something we do so we don’t give it the care and attention.
Walking is something that I love to do, but I do not do enough. It is like giving yourself a gift.
It’s a lovely point Shannon – that even a short walk in the office, or round the house has the power to reveal a lot of how I am feeling, and can be transforming… to bring a purpose, reconnect myself to how I am feeling, or remind myself to not get too focussed. All this can be communicated to my body with a few steps.
Yes thank you for the reminder Simon – to really be aware of every time I walk – be it outside or in the house from room to room, doing daily things, getting out of the car etc – good timely reminder for me.
Great point Shannon – we certainly do under-estimate the importance of walking and often without any true sense of appreciation. It is a pure and simple gift.
I went outside this morning for an early walk just in time to catch the first light and the sunrise. The smell of early flowers was heady and the term “heaven scent” came to mind. There are so many wonderful things about walking, and fresh lovely air in nature is one of them!
I agree Shannon. And what I have found is even during the most intense of days, even if I can only manage a three minute walk, even that is a massive gift to myself. In fact the more intense the day, the greater the gift, because I am putting my commitment to supporting me to be everything that I am, above anything else that might going down.
Good point Otto. My very intense workdays are the ones where I am most likely to put my self-care last. Your comment has reminded me that these are days when my self-care is more important than ever, and I know that I can find at least 30 minutes in that day to gift myself a walk.
Yes walking can be very therapeutic…and its such a great check in with how I am feeling in my body. I have often gone for walks feeling stressed or agitated at the beginning, but by the end feeling quite calm and relaxed.
Sometimes I used to walk around my tiny apartment when there was no time for a walk because I knew the movement would bring me a connection with myself. It is actually incredible what a difference it can make.
I walk a lot in my job. In fact I only sit down at lunchtime. Your comment Shannon together with Simon’s and Otto’s have inspired me to connect with myself when walking at work. It does not have to be outside in a beautiful countryside setting. I can get the same benefits and I like the idea of walking with presence being a gift to myself.
Similar to me Debra. I’ve missed my daily walks outside and yet in truth my work presents plenty of space to walk, upstairs, down stairs, corridors and garden, almost an exercise routine in itself. Walking heals especially when we commit to it with purpose and with presence.
I agree Shannon, walking seems a bit like breathing in that respect, something which is automatic. How much more fulfilling to use conscious presence to make one aware of all those contributing body areas, feet, knees, hips, etc.
Great observation how powerful walking can be even in a short distance.
I love the way you write Tim – so clear , pure and relatable.
I agree completely Leonne. The way Tim writes is offering true inspiration to everyone because it is so relatable.
Ditto – super simple and super strong. It makes it very easy to relate to.
A great account Tim – I can very much relate to what you say about it not being enough to be willing if there is no commitment. Your commitment becomes the momentum that inspires you to keep walking as well as making choices that is honouring of yourself. I love this sentense – ‘I do it for me and it brings me joy.’
I love this sentence to Eve, “I do it for me and it brings me joy.”
I actually cried when I read it. I know that with commitment I can feel this way too.
To have the willingness but not the commitment, great words and inspiration. I am also deepening my commitment in certain areas in my life and it is great to see how this has a ripple effect on other areas as well. I am also learning that If I do something for an external reason, then I give up or come up with excuses to stop. But like you say, when I do it for me, and there is a commitment to myself, then I don’t give up and it is so much easier to commit.
I like that Mariette – a “commitment to myself”. On reading this, I feel to do a stocktake on where I may not be committing to me but instead committing to something outside of me – something I think I should do or should be. Being committed to myself feels so simple too – honouring what I feel and listening to and deeply caring for my body.
Well said Mariette! “I am also deepening my commitment in certain areas in my life and it is great to see how this has a ripple effect on other areas as well.” I have found this too, by committing in one area, I am pulled to be more awareto commit in full to other areas of my life. It is beautiful really.
Marietta, you and Tim’s blog have given me something really beautiful to look at ‘a commitment to myself’, I feel what you both share would make a huge difference to how I am approaching some aspects of my life and something that I had not really considered before. A commitment to me first, thank you I will sit with this little gem today.
Awesome blog Tim. I love how you shared of what was not working and then what it took to make it work for you – for now. The big C word. Commitment. Thanks for showing that its not really as scary as we all think and the benefits are quite tremendous.
I agree Sarah, walking is an activity and movement that we can quite easily take for granted or not pay much attention to. What we may have considered as simply functional is actually extremely profound in what it can offer us when used for the purpose to stay with ourselves and build commitment as Tim has shared.
It’s amazing how something so simple like walking can bring massive changes into our lives. Walking is something most, even myself previously, would take for granted but from my walks going out walking and when I walk in general I have learnt so much. How I walk is just as important as to why I walk because if I walk heavy or rushed that is how I end up feeling overall, walking with and for myself leaves me in that space as well, with myself and not in situations or flat moods.
It should be taught in schools so all know the benefits of walking from a young age.
This is an awesome and honest sharing Tim about the huge benefits of walking, commitment and routine. Consistency seems to be the key in maintaining commitment and establishing a rhythm. Thank you!
Yes Mary, Tim’s blog does show the profound benefits walking has on the body … and mind..and commitment to self, commitment to life, communication, relationships… The roll on effects of walking seem to be endless.
Mary, I experienced this also. Some times my body is calling out loud and clear to me that a walk is exactly what it wants. I take myself for a walk and the walk in itself is like my body receiving a massage. Moving it gently and being very present with my whole body can actually have a sense of letting go of tightness and stress and a surrender to a deep calm. I finish my walk feeling a sense of joy. Magic.
Elizabeth I totally agree. If I walk in a way that is connected to my body then I can locate the tightness and the parts’s of my body that are holding tension, which supports them to let go and then by the end of the walk my body is much looser.
Great blog on establishing consistency in life. Love the simplicity you bring to it and the grandness when life just unfolds and becomes amazing due to the commitment. Walking is totally underestimated and often used purely functional, but I came to feel through Universal Medicine that walking actually the best therapy ever. But not just walking, but walking in presence and feeling your body. It is amazing what we can clear with walking. And as you share to walk and talk with your partner is the most nurturing thing you can do for your relationship. Any issue or conflict dissolves and the walk offers me to get to the truth of it and re-connect and feel the love we both are. Very amazing!!!
Thank you Rachel, you have really highlight how important it is to go for walks, by ourselves, with our partners or friends. Love how you reminded us that walking is the best therapy. It’s interesting for me to look back at how I never took the time to go for walks. I used to go for walks only if I was invited by a friend or have to walk my dog. I am going to start taking myself out for regular beautiful walks.
Walking can be a special time for me where I connect to my body and really focus on what my whole body is doing. As well as walking with a friend or partner allows me to bring clarity to a situation or express what has already been felt.
Simplicity and grandness. Two words that are so rarely seen together. But, as you perfectly say Rachel, exactly describe the power of what Tim is describing.
I love these words Otto. Simplicity and grandness perfectly describe the detail in what I can feel and the expansion that I feel when I make a commitment to walk, allow myself to feel what my body is communicating to me when I walk, and allow myself to feel the nurturing qualities of walking with presence.
Yes, there is a saying, “the best things in life are free”. Not only are they free and the best, they are also very nourishing and better than anything you can buy. Walking is one of them. Breathing is another. Working is a third one.
I agree Christophe. Beautifully put. Walking has a wealth of benefits to our body. For me focusing on my presence and body while walking offers a deep confirmation of the grandness I am a swell as supports me to come back to me when I feel a little off.
So when we go for a walk Christoph, we can walk in presence, breathe for ourselves and work to bring greater clarity to our body, and it costs nothing (except for a good pair of walking shoes!)
Yes, Christoph, I agree. There was a time when I was short of money and I realized exactly that, that the best things in life are free. Apart from walking I can add singing, dancing, talking to friends, making love, smiling, holding hands, making music, meditating, enjoying nature…and the list goes on.
Thank you Rachel, I recently walked and prior to that I felt overwhelmed with issues or strange feelings I did not understand. After the walk everything was gone and what was left was again me – in my fullness
I do know this power too Melinda and from the clarity all feels simple and easy again.
Yes Rachel walking with presence and connection to self is very powerful indeed in oh so many magical ways.
Rachel, I know exactly what you mean about a walk nurturing a relationship. Whenever I walk with someone and we make it a slow, steady, gentle walk, as we walk I feel myself connecting on a deeper level with this person and when we finish there seems to be a deeper appreciation of each other.
That is very amazing Rachel. That it is possible to get to a clarity and understanding of a problem or issue through simply walking with your partner. What a beautifully simple but powerful tool we have here. Thankyou Tim and Rachel!
Consistency seems so insurmountable at times, but is such a treasured quality. Strangely I think most people including myself would rate themselves poorly for consistency, but then if I stop and think about it, there are many, many things I am consistent about. Perhaps the key to consistency is continually deepening and finding more ways to care for ourselves with consistency.
Very amazing Rachel, I couldn’t have put it better myself. Walking is a great form of nurturing, for yourself and your walking partner and the best therapy ever, and it doesn’t cost anything 🙂
This is such a lovely blog Tim. Great to hear about your walking and how it was a commitment to you, how joy-full is that! I really enjoyed reading when you wrote that your thoughts were clearer and your body felt better, like walking now was no effort, Ive also found this since talking consistently every day even if its only 10 minutes. I find so much joy in my walks, I have become super fit just from walking and I’m talking about how I feel in my body. Ive found also that my thoughts are so much clearer, its like drinking the most purest water from a clear glass.
This sounds great Harrison. I have been inspired by this blog and the awesome comments to take myself out for daily walks without my dog. To really spend some quality time with myself going for walks even if it’s for 10 mins. As long as I keep up the consistency it will help build a steady rhythm to support my body to feel the benefits of this amazing therapy of walking. Thank you!
Walking can be fun, and if you walk in presence then you can have joy too. And I love that when I go for a long walk, when I get home my body is tingling all over! Walking for me, is a great opportunity to bring me back to myself and often puts things in perspective if I have something to ponder.
Sandra, I also love the connection with my body during and after a walk. Sometimes it is the perfect way for me to feel at one with my body again and there is a clarity I didn’t feel before my walk.
Love this Harrison and I completely agree. Walking without striving or pushing is so, so different and it is like a gorgeous waterfall giving me a lovely cleanse before starting– or ending — my day 🙂
So great to read this today. I’ve recently made a firm commitment to walking daily – and not incidental walking but walking for me, with me. The benefits have been the same as you describe Tim, so thanks for the confirmation in your blog post. And I also love that you laugh at your won jokes. Might see you on a Top London bus one day … or out walking!
Helen what you have written about: “not incidental walking, but walking for me” really resonated for me as my commitment to walking has dropped since finishing my job a few weeks ago, as each lunch time I would go for a walk. As I live on a busy country road with no foot paths walking around here is fraught with a few dangers, so currently my walking is with gum boots on around the soggy paddocks – definitely “incidental walking’, very enjoyable but I know I need more than this. So time for a new commitment to get me moving and a new walking plan! Thanks for the inspiration.
Yes Helen, you have by your comment to Tim’s great blog brought me to more awareness of ‘incidental walking’ – and as I reflect on any ordinary day, I know that this is often the case. Thank you for reminding me to be more in presence and ‘walking with me’.
How many bus drivers in London are walking!? Probably more than before after reading this great blog!
Yes Heather, Tim is certainly an inspiration and role model for how we can look after our health in sedentary jobs such as bus driving. I can’t think of anything more supportive before or after sitting on a bus than doing some form of exercise to keep the body from getting to stiff or tense. The beautiful thing is that the exercise only needs to be enough to bring a sense of wellbeing to the body as the role of bus driver as Tim mentioned doesn’t need high levels of fitness. This is something that is worth considering in all exercise we do, what is the purpose and how is it going to support us in our day!
I have also recently started to walk for myself. Not going to the shop, or to work, but taking the time to be with myself and walk. It is an amazing thing to do and to observe what comes up during these walks. Often it is my mind running around like a hyperactive puppy, but if I bring the focus to my body and just feel what it is like to feel my body in the motion of walking, the whole thing changes. For about 10 seconds before my mind pops in there again. But these periods of presence are building and I would not do without them for anything.
I love love love walking too but can lose commitment and so I understand completely how this happens. But I’m so glad you so clearly spell out how when we do decide to commit fully to something, there are other areas besides the area we are committing too that benefit. Again, I have had this experience and see clearly how commitment and self love go so hand in hand.
What I also love about this blog is the fact that having an agenda or a need, such as “getting fit” or “losing weight” gets in the way of commitment. I have noticed that whenever I have an agenda, my commitment cannot be sustained, but have never expressed as clearly as Tim has here.
It is so true that when I remove the should have to’s and any ideals around achieving fitness or a certain amount of weight loss the commitment becomes so much joyful and for me. When I am driven by an idea or belief I find that I can only maintain it for a while and then it tends to drop off.
Jennifer, isn’t interesting to see how when we bring in the control factor, or the agenda which is the same thing we loose the joy and find it hard to commit but when we walk because we feel to and there is no where to get to and no result or outcome needed, it’s a completely different experience.
I whole heartedly agree with this Rosie for this is my experience also.
That’s been my experience too Rachel. Whenever I’ve made exercise (in any form, which includes walking) about losing weight etc., it requires much more of an external push to stay motivated and committed. When I make it about committing to me and connecting with my body, it has a flow and ease to it that requires no push or external drive, and the benefits (feeling healthier, lighter etc.) all come naturally ‘from’ that, but not ‘because’ of that.
I can add the same to this thread…. when I have tried to force an action like exercise through willpower I can never sustain it. There is a hardness and a pushing. When I make the choice because I lovingly know it will support my body and wellbeing then the decision to keep it consistent becomes much easier.
I completely agree, pushing through willpower has been hugely counterproductive for me. These days exercise and walking are things i do pretty much every day but without any pushing or so-called hard discipline. They come from a commitment to honour my body and feel me in my body, and so every day the way i walk may be slightly different and the exercises I choose to do, different as well.
This has been my experience too. Having an agenda or goal has never worked; a simple commitment to me and my health has. For years I’ve been an on-again, off-again exerciser (and more off than on). It was only when I discovered I had a chronic health condition that I really made the commitment to exercise: I decided to step-up my level of self-love.
True Rachel, same for me. It feels like there is more space to experience the joy and the benfit of those choices which are supportive to my body when I don’t push.
The comments here are very interesting and helpful to me in that I have drifted away from many things that I have introduced into my life, even though I have found them super supportive. In the light of these comments I am going to look at if and how I have committed to these various activities, and the quality that I have approached them with once I had realised how beneficial they are to me, because, perversely it seems that the drift happens after I have realised how beneficial they are. Having read the comments on this thread I wonder if I introduce an element of ‘should’ at that point, and in so doing change my relationship with the activity.
Great point Rachel – I have really struggled with exercise being all about the mental and pushing myself through the pain. I have to use a huge force to maintain such a treatment, and it is never sustainable. But changing how I exercise simply by listening to my body, brings a whole new steadiness to it that seems a natural part of my daily rhythm.
I agree Rachel. Often I can feel that when I choose to exercise it supports me to work through issues that have come up without the racy thoughts that may run through my head.
I love what reading the comments can bring up for you. Catherine its great that you have had one of those “aha” moments and then start to consider did it all change because I brought in the “Should” element. I am sure many of us can relate or should relate!
I agree. I have lost count of how many times I have started off at the gym all enthusiastic, then switched to yoga, then back and then slowly weaned off all exercise. To-ing and fro-ing and losing interest because I was forcing myself with false ideals. I have only ever built consistency in those things that really serve me and feel awesome, like going to bed early and walking on the beach.
I have found the same thing as people are expressing here, namely I love exercise (and I’m not talking walking here, which is very natural for me) whist I am enjoying it, which is most of the time but if I introduce any kind of should or it has to be a certain way, then the enjoyment factor goes rapidly down hill and so does the exercise. Mainly for me it has to do with letting go of momentums which want to keep me engrossed in other activities, that seem more important, usually mental like working at the computer instead of spending the time with me and my body .
So true Rachel and the joy of exercise is felt rather than the chore.
That is definitely true Angela and Rachel, taking on any form of exercise with the intention to support our health is far more empowering and much more effective than participating in exercise to achieve a goal such as weight loss or a certain level of fitness. There is something unseen in that commitment that makes the exercise take on an extra dimension in quality and really allows us to feel the effects of the exercise so much more strongly.
It feels from reading the article and the comments that whatever we do can either come from us in order to support us or it can come from outside of us for the benefit of what is outside of us. One deepens truth and the other perpetuates the illusion. We are either at the heart of an action or without heart in action.
Yes, Stephen G, I can relate to what you say, committing to a regular walk for the sake of our health feels a much more true goal to have, which seems to make such a difference to whether that commitment is held to. Whereas doing it for fitness or weight loss just does not seem to hold so well. I have started a regular walk several times, but so often other things intervene and the commitment seems to disappear. Making it about my health feels so much more important for me, I can feel immediately how much better I feel in myself when I walk. I have just started again on a committed path of regular walking, not always a 20 minute walk, a couple of times a week a much longer walk around a beautiful lake, which really lifts me enormously and I feel so much better after those walks. So I no longer have a goal, just committing to do a walk each day, knowing I am going to feel great for the rest of the day.
I fully agree with all the comments about setting setting goals and pushing through with exercise. They become a chore and a slog and it is easy to then sabotage them and give up.
A big smile came up in recognition of Victoria Lister’s description mirroring my own experience –
“For years I’ve been an on-again, off-again exerciser (and more off than on). It was only when I discovered I had a chronic health condition that I really made the commitment to exercise: I decided to step-up my level of self-love”.
Hmm yes very true Stephen G, the exercise is different when they are these 2 qualities. For me, commitment – is the felt and held love towards oneself first and dedication – the activity of what’s been committed to (that benefits all). Without commitment and love of self, there is only left its opposite (abuse). Which are we exercising, symbolically, literally and physically?!
Thank you for reminding me that exercise is just a commitment to me and connecting with my body. This changes everything and makes it about love .. loving me. Which oh my gosh feels soooo much better than ‘trying’ or ‘have to’!
Beautifully said Angela, I too have experienced that flow and ease which you have described.
That’s funny isn’t it – I am so used to hearing the words “how committed are you to…” followed by “losing weight or getting fit” that it actually makes sense that we are constantly striving to achieve these goals because we are setting ourselves up to fail from the start! Whereas, when our commitment comes from a place of self-love and nurturing our bodies – from a knowing that walking tells us a lot about where we are at and can also be a form of healing – then the commitment feels simple. Unburdened by the pressure of need, but there to support us in our connection with ourselves. Thank you Tim, Suzanne and Rachel.
Wow, commitment from anything other than self-love is more of a commitment to fail! I’m always surprised that when I feel to go for a walk to be with me. It’s me with all of me, simply walking and allowing myself to just be; I feel when it’s time to rest and I do not feel tired. When I walk to get fit then I either feel racy or exhausted at the end because I’m not with myself – I’m thinking of the getting fit or I’m thinking of a million other things. Our bodies are amazing vehicles if we don’t run off without them!
An unmistakable truth Karin – absolutely – wherever we go our body simply goes with us and is there in every moment of our lives. Walking or dong anything ‘without presence’ with the body causes huge exhaustion –
“When I walk to get fit then I either feel racy or exhausted at the end because I’m not with myself – I’m thinking of the getting fit or I’m thinking of a million other things. Our bodies are amazing vehicles if we don’t run off without them!”
I agree Rachel, having a goal or agenda for me is like a set up and no matter what I will always end up sabotaging it or never achieving it, the only way I can sustain something is feeling how it supports me. Even then like Tim has described we can still let things get in the way of this consistency.
I love walking or swimming but there are times, when I have become overwhelmed in life that I let this slip instead of going to it more to maintain me through these times. Awesome sharing, and a great reminder of my way forward.
That’s a great insight Kristy, about the times you’ve let exercise slide – through feeling overwhelmed. Which is, as you say, exactly when we need it the most. The simple and practical things are what keep us anchored: I have used the same techniques in time of crisis, change or challenge. I’m pleased to say it works.
Great point shared Victoria. I find that when I am wobbly that is when the exercise helps me return to the steadiness that I have been building in the body. It does work and is an anchor is difficult times.
Me too Kristy, I find this with lots of what supports me, not just exercise. Its at the times when I need the support most that I let go of that which supports me slip. I like the concept of having a plan to go more to those things, not less at challenging times.
It seems that having an agenda in the sense of achievement we invest into something outside of who we are but want to become or be. Sure, there are those who with ambition can go very far but at the end they will have lost themselves. To commit to oneself means to invest into myself from the very beginning and support and nurture my development or unfoldment of the potential already waiting in me to be activated. While the potential unfolds I become more and more of myself and so there is more of me to commit to who I am.
What you said here Alex is huge. I can really feel how maintaining and holding ourselves together with who we are is important, rather than being fragmented by drive and outside influences. It is like the whole of you is maintained as we unfold. Words of wisdom.
This resonates depeply in my body, Alex. It confirms my knowing and exposes what is not me.
Beautifully observed Rachel. I will really ponder on the areas of my life where I would like to commit but am struggling – is there an agenda there that is getting in the way?
Though I have never contemplated this before already I know that if I were to put having to walk to keep fit or lose weight this striving for an end result would take the joy away from walking. Just being and walking is lovely. It makes sense that being with myself and what I have previously struggled to commit to is a very different to killing the joy out of an activity through putting on so many conditions and outcomes. This could be very interesting.
Thanks Karin… that’s a great insight. Where there may be areas in my life that are a bit stuck, I wonder if there’s been a push and an agenda i’ve set up that i then bash myself for not living up to. This will be great to explore.
Interesting point for reflection Karin, are there ‘ areas of my life where I would like to commit but am struggling – is there an agenda there that is getting in the way? Great to consider this.
I feel the same Kate. When I walk for me the walk has a different quality to when it is clocked in at a certain time and day. The joy of taking yourself for a walk allows the whole body to come together and celebrate you. The movement in your legs and the gentle swaying of the arms along with the gentle warm sun on your skin is hard to resist.
Love the way you express this nb ‘… for a walk allows the whole body to come together and celebrate you.’ So beautifully put.
This is a gorgeous description nb, ‘The movement in your legs and the gentle swaying of the arms along with the gentle warm sun on your skin is hard to resist.’ I can feel the exquisiteness of walking in this way.
Walking with joy and lightness can be so profound and just goes to show how just the simplest of things can have an impact on our way of being.
Gorgeous nb. “The joy of taking yourself for a walk allows the whole body to come together and celebrate you.” Who wouldn’t want to experience all of that? It is just like that for me too. Its a beautiful moment to be with the world and everyone is invited.
Yes, so interesting Rachel. We actually lose ourselves in outcomes and agendas…and interestingly this is the basis of our entire education system.
This pattern is then built into the pupils lives for them to continue after they leave the education system with all the damaging consequences.
So true Rachel, an agenda poisons good intentions with a drive that make the activity decidedly unpleasant and so easy to make an excuse not to do. Walking for the simple joy of it is easy, there is no goal or outcome to achieve just time to be with me.
I agree Rachel.
It becomes hard work, contained and arduous the moment I invest in the outcome and bring a picture to it.
I agree Rachel, there is definitely something to be said for making our exercise choices about something other than a need to look a certain way or achieve a set goal. Because in that we get to the goal and then have no sense of what is next, yet if we make exercise about a commitment to loving ourself and wanting to enjoy that connection to our body then it is much more sustainable, as the more we experience the wonder we are the more we wish to consolidate this.
That is so beautiful Katie. I found that too, when I feel how much my body loves walking and how much I love to have a moment with me, the commitment is not chore but a thing I love to do and make time for in my day.
This is so true Lieke. I’m realising there are many things in my life that if I think are a chore I need to look at so that I be inspired by their true purpose.
Anything I consider a chore only leads me to resentment and this encourages me to rush, be grumpy and reward my self for doing whatever it is in ways that aren’t self loving but I justify by saying I deserve it – extra food/staying up late. This cycle is not worth getting on as it’s usual ending is me feeling bad for being grumpy, indulging in food and feeling rubbish. Lovely to be aware of it and change it as soon as I clock the resentment – though I can change it at any point.
What a great observation Rachel. From this I get the simplicity in commitment, how beautiful.
that makes so much sense, Rachel – “whenever I have an agenda, my commitment cannot be sustained”, because it is not from a true impulse and therefore does not have the fuel of love to keep the flame going.
Yes Rachel Mascord, how very true indeed! – what lies beneath (motivation or agenda) an activity definitely laces or sabotages the otherwise commitment and potential joy that nb describes. Not having any objective other than to nurture and support the body in its evolution makes commitment very tangible and real.
This is also true for me Rachel. when I have exercised or done a lot of walking in the past it has generally been to loose weight. Walking now, just for the sheer enjoyment of it when I feel to, is so much fun and does not ever become a chore.
It’s true Rachel, and this exposes the difference between ‘motivation’ (using goals and agendas from the head to drive us), and commitment (coming from the whole body).
Motivation is short lived, but true commitment never waivers.
I agree Michelle, if you start off thinking ‘I’m not good enough’ and have a need to be better, we have judged ourselves before we even start. If we have a different starting point, i.e. I want to lovingly support myself, then there is no fail, it’s just an ongoing commitment. It’s then so much easier to sustain.
Beautifully expressed Jane – I also suffered the “tick the box” disease. I was not really connected and I was in the DOING mode. It makes such a difference, if I’m connected or not. And as you say, there is no need for drive, push or hardness.
I agree Rachel- When I walk with the intention of needing to get fit or losing weight I feel my body change – it hardens and I feel more head driven. At the end of the walk I tend to feel more exhausted. Instead, when I walk gently with conscious presence my body feels more expanded and I feel joy.
And it just feels so very good to walk.
I have been taking myself out at lunchtime for a walk, and using the
opportunity to go to the local park. I have been doing this for five years. I have been inconsistent in the past, but I am very regular now. I take photos too, of things that tickle me – birds, flowers, leaves, trees, patterns on the grass. It is lovely to breathe the fresh air and invigorate my body before I return to work.
I loved the simplicity of this Jane, when I do something from function, ‘my heart is literally not in it and I soon drift away from it as I have to harden to keep it up’. Mmmm thank you for bringing my awareness to the hardening factor as it is an ongoing learning for me to stay in my tenderness and I love that melty body feeling and want more of that not the other!
I’ve started to be more aware of this too Rachel. Whenever I ‘think’ I should do something for a particular outcome, whatever I’m doing is far less enjoyable and leaves me still feeling not quite enough at the end of it and it’s much harder to sustain without feelings of obligation/push etc… However when I start out with a commitment to me, not only is it easier to do the things I’m doing but they are much easier to keep doing and much more likely to have lots of extra side benefits which come without trying.
This is great what you have shared Rachel. When we add an agenda it can be difficult to sustain it. Celebrating who we are every time we walk is a great step to take. Remembering to take this one step at a time.
I believe that to be true also Suzanne, how can we truly commit to ourselves when there is no self love. Therefore if we build on one, the other naturally follows.
What an awesome thread about commitment, I have fund the same as most of you and feel it really is this simple, when I strive or push towards something I am saying in this moment I am not enough and therefor it lacks love and appreciation, and so if I continue with this I am constantly confirming this to myself which does not feel good at all. Whereas I choose something simply because it makes me feel awesome and more of who I am, I am confirming myself and this is so much more lovely to feel that this is what I would want to repeat and commit to.
Well said Carolien.
There is great spaciousness and joy in true commitment for how can there not be if we are taking us to it and bringing our all?
Yes Carolien, one way feels like you are building and appreciating yourself, they other way feels like a constant confirmation that you are not good enough.
I agree totally Sandra, without the foundation of self love there can be no true commitment. Develop self love and the commitment to self will naturally follow.
Or…. could it be that the more we commit to self the more we deepen our love for ourselves. Either way, it is a win win situation. I agree, it is important to build that loving foundation and for me, it is taking little baby steps every day to support and care for myself and begin to appreciate me for who I am, that way I am confirming who I am on a daily basis which leads to more love and acceptance of myself.
I agree Suzanne, and I love what Tim has shared here about ‘no perfection’. We are constantly living in cycles, so whatever it is we are choosing will be brought back around for us to look at and change or commit further to if needed. This is the beauty of the lives we live. We have free will to choose – equally to commit or not. It is very simple.
Great point Amelia about living in cycles and how what is needed for us to evolve and move on will come around again and again until the lesson is learned and true healing gained.
‘I see clearly how commitment and self love go hand in hand’. That made me stop, Suzanne. for whatever commitment we make to do something, if it is not made from self love, it has no true foundation. It has made things so much clearer for me in highlighting areas of my life that are not working.
That’s great Catherine, I am inspired by your comment. I am going to look at my commitments in this way and re-evaluate the life I live, awesome.
WALKING: “just you with you” – this feels completely gorgeous Amina. Simple and nourishing. No food required !