Five: Soul Strolls

In every walk in nature, one receives far more than he seeks. 

John Muir

When I had my reset week, I spent a lot of time on soul strolls. What is a soul stroll? It's an opportunity to disconnect from the day-to-day stresses and reconnect with yourself and nature. 

Some of you might like to use the stroll as an opportunity to totally disconnect from technology and completely commune with nature. Your soundtrack will be birdsong, crickets, the breeze through the trees, croaking frogs, running water. 

Or you may choose to wear headphones and listen to music, a book or a podcast that relaxes or motivates you. 

During this stroll, take an opportunity to really look at the nature that surrounds you. As you know, I like to look for heart shapes in nature. You can also look for faces in trees, take photos, watch the local wildlife, whatever speaks to you. The key is to connect with the nature around you in a way that is personal. 

On these solo walks, I feel connected to God, nature and all of his creations. I am able to focus on how small we truly are in this big miraculous world. It helps me realize what is important and what will pass. I literally feel the weight of the world lift from me. 

There are many beautiful places to walk locally. While I prefer to walk in a wooded area, sometimes I don't have time to do that. I walk through local neighborhoods or on campus at work. But if you are looking for local areas for your soul stroll, here are some ideas:

https://www.visitkc.com/visitors/things-do/attractions/hiking-and-around-kansas-city

And don't forget about the other benefits you'll receive from your soul stroll:

Improved memory and focus

Better cortisol levels

Lower blood pressure

Boosts creativity

Increase in energy

What are some of your favorite places to stroll?