Take a Walk!

When I was young, one of the small pleasures of the school year starting up again was the prospect of daily walks to and from school with friends from my neighborhood.  On these daily walks, understanding of my friends grew, inevitable squabbles were healed, and compassion deepened as we shared, on the way home, what had been that day's biggest challenges. And there was the unbeatable bonding experiences of doubling over with laughter together at some great joke or silly observation. I'm sure much of that same deepening, understanding, and silliness happened for my children on their daily bus rides to school with neighborhood friends. But there's something about walking together…that allows conversation to flow, and thoughts to be especially creative. Even as adults, we take advantage of what walking together can do. Early each morning (as I sit comfortably in my living room), I see pairs or trios of neighbors taking time to walk together to start the day.