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".