Quiet walking

I walk outside quite a bit, especially during the warm season (and when it’s not raining). The subdivision next to mine has the perfect paved pedestrian trail that takes one through a wooded area before re-emerging into civilization. I have been utilizing this trail for many years, first as a runner, now as a walker.

Oftentimes, I’ll listen to music or podcasts while walking. I’ll normally walk a 5K, which takes me about 53 minutes, give or take a minute. But sometimes, like yesterday, I won’t put anything in my ears, which is referred to as “quiet walking.” That’s what I did yesterday.

I live in the Nashville area. Like many parts of the country, we’re in the midst of a heat wave. I used to abhor the summer heat, but as I get older, I find the heat more tolerable; it’s the winter cold I like the least. So I certainly don’t mind sweating. I did plenty of that yesterday. Despite the fact that we were enjoying a sunny afternoon — it was right after lunch — the neighborhood was eerily quiet. Nearly everyone was either indoors or at the pool. There was the occasional sound of playing children or an automobile passing by, but it was otherwise silent. Even the wind was calm.

It’s times like this that get the mind to roaming. It’s a wonder the things a person thinks about when he/she isn’t overstimulated. I walk primarily for exercise. I’m 54 years old and am more cognizant of the need for frequent activity than ever before. But quiet-walking is also good for the mind, I am convinced. It’s like a purge. I come back physically tired but mentally recharged. As a society, we seem to over-praised busyness and multi-tasking. But there’s something to be said for the solitude and single-tasking of a peaceful quiet walk.