Let's "glow" for a walk!!

Recently my sisters and I started reading a book called the Vein of Gold by Julia Cameron. One of the things that she encourages you to do to reconnect with your inner creativity is to get outside and take a daily 20 minute walk and just see what thoughts and inspiration come to your mind along the way. So with headphones in, and an instrumental play list on shuffle, I set out for the first of these walks and thought I would share some thoughts and images I captured along the way.

One of the first things I came across was frozen water on the sidewalk, which reminded me one, of how cold it was outside, and two of how the season is about to change and that long, warm summer days will soon be a distant memory. As I thought about impending winter I also found myself shifting to a place of gratitude that at least if I have to live in a place of extreme cold there is also vast amounts of sunshine that usually accompanies it. I grew up in a place where the winters were often dark, gloomy and overcast and as much as the winters can be extra long and cold here, sunlight pouring through my windows and reflecting like diamonds across snowy landscapes definitely help to get me through it!

A fall wreath still hanging from the beginning of the season invoked another reminder that a change of season is upon us.

I spotted these bright yellow flowers still hanging on despite cold morning frosts that have accompanied recent days. The lingering beauty, resilience, and colours of summer made me want to stop and appreciate them.

This for sale sign found me wondering what was happening in their lives that triggered this change. Was it a financial decision? A desire to down size or..up? Or perhaps a change in employment? A need or want to move closer to loved ones? It made me reflect how we often walk through life unaware of the things going on in the lives of the people around us. So caught up in our own lives and challenges that we can become indifferent or even impatient with those around us and pass judgement on differing points of view or lifestyles. The real truth is, that we know very little of what goes on behind closed doors and in a world where we can choose to be anything....we should always choose to be kind.

This bag of leaves that had been gathered and set out to be discarded had me reflecting on the purpose they had once served. They had provided oxygen, shade and beauty throughout their season and would soon give nourishment back to the earth that they had come from. I found myself feeling gratitude for this simple gift from nature.

Our mother loves oak leaves and acorns and as such have become symbolic of many childhood memories. Memories both meaningful and beautiful and at times deeply painful. Seeing them throughout my walk today kept reminding me how some images can be so strongly connected to who we are and the experiences that are uniquely our own. I also found myself wondering what some of those images might be for others?

I came across this house decorated for Christmas on November 4th! I traditionally wait until after remembrance Day out of respect for the fallen but so many people (myself included) share the sentiment of Christmas being their favourite holiday and time of the year. Today I found myself contemplating why maybe that is? For Christians it creates an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the role Jesus Christ plays in their lives. For others Christ might not have a role at all. Regardless of our individual beliefs I believe the common thread woven through Christmas that unites people is the spirit it invokes. The spirit of giving, serving, and spending time with the people we love. Christmas creates the opportunity to express that love in the way our individual traditions allow and invite us to. It's a wonderful time of year where people more readily look outside of themselves. Christmas is filled with giving back, volunteering, and helping those less fortunate. No wonder we love Christmas!!

I felt the need to capture the beauty of the little bits of morning frost still clinging to this leaf.

This tree caught my attention because of it’s exposed roots. I feel like the journey my sisters and I have been on has often involved exposing some of our own roots. Bringing these things to the surface can be scary and make you feel very vulnerable at times, but just as those exposed roots haven't destroyed the tree or kept it from growing in stature and strength, each of our roots have played a roll in creating a strong foundation that is helping develop us into the fullness of all we are meant to be.

As I continued on my journey I spotted this recycling truck a child must have left along the path. Initially it caught my eye because of it’s bright, bold colours and how out of place it seemed, but then it got me thinking about how as I have been going through this stage of life (post raising children) I some times find myself questioning my value and what I still have to offer. I am learning that if I keep an open heart and trust the process life can contine to evolve and change into something even more meaningful, beautiful and valuable than ever imagined!

This was a crosswalk I passed over and noticed several shoe impressions stamped into the vertical lines. Someone had clearly walked across before the cement was fully cured, forever leaving their mark. I thought about some of the “shoe prints” life leaves on us along the way and how in spite of our best efforts they are there to stay. The only choice we have lies in how we allow those imprints to affect us. Just as the crosswalk still provides a safe crossing for those who use it in spite of what some might view as imperfections we can choose to not let our own "shoe prints" keep us from fulfilling our purpose.

This figurine evoked in me the memory of being read to by my Dad as a little girl. I lost my dad in April of 2021…and I miss him every single day. The world just hasn't felt the same without him. One of my favourite childhood memories is being curled up in my parent’s bed with my sisters while Dad read to us. The two stories that stand out are Little house on the Prairie and old Yeller. I loved the sound of his calm, comforting voice...I would give anything just to hear it one more time.

Recently Mom and I were out thrifting and I found a wool sweater I liked. I decided to try it on and when I reached my hand into the pocket I pulled out a dime. I have heard that if you find dimes it can be a sign from crossed over loved ones so I kept it as a sign from Dad. 

Then at the beginning of todays walk I said “Dad if you're with me today, please leave a dime on my walk." As I walked I kept skimming my eyes along the ground hoping to see a dime. As I was approching the end of my journey I still hadn't found any dimes. I reached my street and was about to turn up the road when I felt a pull to cross to the other side. Just as I got to the other side and looked down, there was a quarter just sitting there up against the curb! I felt my heart leap and bent down to pick it up. A memory then popped into my head of when I was a young and my Dad used to give me a quarter to mow the lawn! It felt like Dad was saying. "I'll do one better, I'll leave you a quarter instead!” 😘 

xo

~Amy