by Mary Teresa Fowler

Created on: October 28, 2008   Last Updated: March 25, 2010

Walk for a Reason

Have you ever seen the Norman Rockwell painting of the old grandfather and the young grandson gazing out at the ocean? They are accompanied by the ever faithful canine of the family. Grandpa has his walking stick and his red handkerchief.

You can easily imagine that the grandfather and grandson have just stopped to catch the ocean breeze. You can almost feel the cool ocean air. You wonder if they stopped here on the way home from a leisurely walk on a hot summer day. Norman Rockwell paintings always celebrate happiness, health, home, and heritage.

It is only natural to assume then that the grandfather and the grandson were returning home from an enjoyable walk. Walking leads down the same path as a Norman Rockwell painting. Walk the pathways. You will find the path which honors and celebrates happiness, health, home, and heritage.

Walk about and experience the sights and sounds of your environment - whether you find yourself on a city street or down a country road. The location will define the experience. Whether you are in a thriving metropolis or a country village, one’s emotions and spirit will enjoy a renewal.

The walker doesn't harm the environment and the environment reacts in kind. It strives to be the best host. It puts on its best display and provides the best entertainment.

Walking provides you with a pleasant respite. The environment knows that once you take the first step then you will be a return guest. Walking will make you one happy guest.

The walker will indeed enjoy his next vacation. A walker will in fact enjoy the next work day. He will savour the next evening, enjoy the next hour, and most of all, live to the fullest in the next moment. Walking makes for a more healthy and relaxed individual.

A walker wants his environment to be a clean and healthy setting. A walker will lead others to clean up the environment. Walkers stroll for causes.

A walker wants to share the joy with others. Walking has a domino effect. It affects one person first and then another and then another.

Walking shares the wealth of the environment. Walking is really an outreach health program inspired by every single walker. Walking always leads you home. You can walk in the opposite direction but walking always brings you to the centre of your being. It brings you back in touch with yourself.

Walking makes you alive. It shows you beauty and relaxation. It allows you to take from the environment. Yet walking also teaches you about the responsibility that comes with that gift.

It brings you good health and good friends. Walking makes you feel happiness and joy. It connects you with family. Walking can bring you home - in both a physical and a spiritual sense.

Walking can allow you to explore the past through your steps of today. You can explore old streets and old paths. You can walk the same paths that centuries of walkers have passed over in earlier times. Share that history with your children and with your grandchildren. Pass on your love for the environment and its walking pleasures.

Walking can allow you to explore your heritage. Walking also allows you to leave behind a legacy of a life well-lived and in tune with your environment. Walk the path - the path to happiness, health, home, and heritage!

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