November 17th was Take A Hike Day, at least according to Sandra Boynton.
My immediate thought, upon seeing her Facebook post with a picture of a hiking hippo, was that it was indeed a beautiful day to for a hike in the nearby nature reserve. My next thought was how to fit it into my day—I’d planned to do some serious writing. In addition, I wanted to attend yoga class. I had to stop at the pharmacy, and of course, there was work. There’s always work.
I’d missed quite a few classes because of headaches, exhaustion, and work. I was really reluctant to forgo another class. I probably shouldn’t skip it.
Could I postpone getting my work done until I returned from the nature reserve?
Writing was my first priority. Lately, I hadn’t had time to myself with no major interruptions. I should take full advantage of it.
I just couldn’t see how I could possibly afford to take the the time to immerse myself in the outdoors.
I needed to visit the nature reserve. It held a special place in my heart, and I hadn’t been there in such a long time.
Coming to think of it, I realized that I should start hiking there regularly like I used to during my first year of recovery from the brain surgeries. It helped me regain my balance, strength, and stamina. It also helped prepare me for my return to dragon boating. It helped me slow down as the bloody brain demanded of me. It helped in my recovery in general.
But more than anything, It brought me peace within the nightmare that was my life at the time. It brought order and light back into a life filled with chaos darkness. It gave me a much needed break from my new reality.
I had to go hiking. I had to fit it in somehow.
If I went to yoga, when I returned home, it would be too close to dusk to go out for a hike. I looked at my watch–I certainly didn’t have enough time to go for a walk before yoga.
It was Take A Hike Day after all. And the fall colors in the nature reserve…
Though I was leaning towards a hike, my other commitments tugged at me. Perhaps writing would guide me towards a choice. I often helped clear my my mind; I wanted and needed to write anyway.
But writing didn’t help—I stayed torn.
As I wrote, I lost track of time. When I finally thought to look at my watch, I realized I’d be late for yoga class, very late.
The decision was made for me. Or had I made it myself?
I’d skip class.
I could always stop by the pharmacy on my way back home. I’d continue writing when I felt refreshed from the walk. And work would wait.
Hiking would not–Take A Hike Day only came around once a year.
And I badly needed a break from my hectic life. Today. Now. In fact, I really need to take such a break more often.
I will take the time to go hiking on a regularly, despite my various time consuming commitments. At least twice a week. On second thought, I realized that I should be more realistic–once a week. Like conditions of enoughness, a realistically short to-do list, to keep myself from overextending myself on a daily basis.
I’ll add it to my conditions of enoughness.
Once a week should satisfy me.