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Day 62:

“Many people nowadays live in a series of interiors...disconnected from each other. On foot everything stays connected, for while walking one occupies the spaces between those interiors in the same way one occupies those interiors. One lives in the whole world rather than in interiors built up against it.” ― Rebecca Solnit, Wanderlust: A History of Walking

Day 61:

Three is beauty in friendship and I was reminded of that last night. Now back to Walking. The experience of NOT walking for three weeks has taught me of my failings. The main one being my lack of structural discipline. I know what I desire and what would be good for me, that being a daily Taiji practice which is what I should be doing now while the body rebuilds, but so far nothing, zippo, zero. I also need to stop beating myself up about it. I'm now thinking if I write these thoughts (failings) down on paper it might help which it has as I will now schedule a morning and afternoon session for my practice to bring me back into a routine. This has always worked with swimming and walking practice so I'll now need to do this with Taiji. Living on the east coast of Singapore was easy, as all I needed to do was show up 4 times a week for a group practice in the park where I was told what to do and in what sequence. Here's that word again; Intention. I'll keep myself posted as I'm ready to start some step strolling tomorrow as well.

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Day 57:

The computer screen is asking me to "Take a Mindful Moment." But really it's a banner asking me to sign up to receive emails so I can be informed about what's wrong with the world, including my body and how their site can help me. I close the page. More negative information is not what I need. Let's not dwell on what's wrong with the world, including me and get on with living. If I need some counselling I'll go for a walk. Heading to the Botanical Gardens today for a Mindful Stroll.

Day 56

Day 55: Lift, Relax

Hello Monday. My walk today is the doctors, along with another x-ray thrown in for good measure. Lift, relax, lift, relax is my mantra as I walk.

Day 54:

What happened to my morning. my day in fact as it's now bedtime and I realise that I haven't written in my journal today. My walk yesterday was an evening stroll in downtown Singapore around Marina Bay with the hope of catching a couple of few outdoor shows and dance dancing lessons with the da:ns festival. Our timing was perfect as we arrived just as the Sri Lankan contemporary dance group was emerging onto the stage with a full entourage of drummers. However I need to listen to my body as it beckons me to turn home for rest, so no late night (viewing of) street dancing for me. This is my current learning curve, to listen to my body when it speaks calmly and quietly to me, rather than wait until it screams at me blue murder which is often too late to simply go home and rest. Yes, it's a lifetime of lessons that I teach myself  through experience first hand.

Day 53:

I'm excited to confirm that my first live viewing of a Pina Bausch performance was enlightening  and also uplifting. One of the numerous arts festivals held in Singapore is da:ns festival which brings world-class productions to the island along with (world class) local performances plus free shows, mass dance lessons and workshops for local dance students, professionals and  enthusiasts like me, Yes, there was lots of walking in Pina's piece "Nelken" (Carnations). Processions of walking by the whole troop, in lines, crisscrossing and in organised chaos. Bruce commented on my glow on returning home. I said if I'm unable to walk at least I can be in the audience viewing greatness. Blessed

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Day 49:

It is better to go back and make a net than stand by a pond and long for a fish
- Ban Gu, History of Han

Day 48:

Ramblings with my sister

Day 47: stillness

I discover a lot about myself while walking but it's when I stay still that I form what I
have learnt.

Day 46:

I'm having to concentrate on what the date is and the fact that it's a Saturday. Each day is currently the same with my focus on doing as little as possible, which is hard for someone who is always active. Walking to the movies has been my daily highlight. I can sit with good posture and be transported somewhere for a couple of hours, I miss my morning walks so much. I miss the destinations of the Botanical Gardens and the East Coastal walkway.

I tell myself this is just a phase I need to accept to get my physical health back. A stepping stone to well-being. I just need to ban myself from pottering in the kitchen. Rest is in order. Only dreaming and reading of walking allowed.

Day 45:

Let's start again: Walking.

Recovery takes time and patience is required. I think about my new way of walking. One that is meditative. The goal is more about simply enjoying the walk and focusing on posture and even the breath. Actually, there is no goal.  It's just a walk. There is no training for an event (not yet), no fitness regime to reach a certain pace level, no concern of speed to burn calories. There is only meditative walking. Perhaps my goal is happiness.

Who would have guessed my whole philosophy of walking would have changed so dramatically during a time of writing a journal about walking. I am convalescing from major neck surgery, $46,000 worth, with instruction from the surgeon to "stroll" for the next 3 months. I will make it so.

Day 44:

I may not have gone
where I intended to go
but I think I have ended up
where I need to be
  - Douglas Adams

Day 43:

Today I am reminded of the power of imagination, as I lay in bed this morning and imagined myself walking. I can achieve anything through my strength found in imagining what I what to do. Albert Einstein once observed "Logic will take you from A to Z. Imagination will get you everywhere."

I eased off the painkillers and muscle relaxant drugs last night so I can feel the pain in my neck, but it's manageable and will keep me in a cautious mode. There will be plenty of time to walk soon enough. Now is to practice the art of patience. Chin up!

Day 42:

 My sole focus is staying relaxed and calm. The pain is diminishing with the help of a mouli of drugs. Certainly, there will be little walking over the next few days while I let my neck muscles and ligaments repair after being moved and stretched during the 3-hour surgery last week.

I'm feeling sorry for myself for thinking I can work in my kitchen or even hang out on the sofa before I'm actually ready. Patience, patience, patience. This is the most important time to let the body repair. I have the rest of my life to walk, to be physically adventurous, but only if I let the healing process have priority now. I will practice positive thinking and create an image of a strong and beautiful me.

It's difficult to write about walking while I'm convalescing. Apologies to my walking  readers.

Day 41: Care

If you don't care for your body, where are you going to live?

Day 40: Under Supervision

Under supervision, I went walking this morning, all fancied up with a neck brace. Actually, it was a slow stroll as the pain medication I'm taking is also a muscle relaxant which makes not only my neck relax but also my legs go wobbly. The first time I haven't been able to keep up with Bruce, apart from airports when some unknown booster is ignited and off he zooms.

Day 39: Boundaries

Like many others, I know I have a stubborn streak in me especially when it comes to my art. My only focus is portraying positive energy in my work. Political and social agenda, no violence, hatred, perversion or anger ever enter my work. I make boundaries, as I do with walking, so my focus has a path to follow. Walking is the same where my thinking is positive and constructive. If grumpy thoughts enter my head I have a mantra that automatically starts up; "Let it go, God Bless, Let it go".