Learn To Stroll

We don't remember how we all learnt to walk as a little child. But we did. Soon, we learnt to run! Most of us fell, but we don't remember that either. Which is good. Because we forgot the fright, the pain and the fear, we could move on.

Have we noticed how we walk? I don't mean the way we walk, as in our gait ... that is another story! But, more the pace of our walk. Most of us tend to walk briskly. We stride.

At work, when we stride, we exude a sense of urgency, "busy-ness", importance and perhaps even power. Silently the message is "don't disturb me now, I am busy going about my business". Surprisingly, it works. People leave us alone. It would be foolish to stop an express train. So, things that seemed "urgent" becomes a matter that "can wait" ... for when the person is not striding.

At home, we can't stop the habit of "work striding" and we rush around as much. Family members make way and some stay out of the way of striding mum or dad ... or even striding children! Especially grandparents. Grandparents stay by the sidelines because getting run over by the many express trains can be a painful experience. The silent message is "so many things need to get done at home so we can go to work to get more work done". So, valuable lessons that would have helped shape values and build character stay by the sidelines. They are deemed not important.

During exercise, brisk striding continues. They show a level of fitness, wellness, healthiness and perhaps even youth. Silently, the message is "look at me! I am able to walk fast ... all is well". And, all might be so. Or perhaps not ... sadly, we get these "youngsters" collapsing and even dying. Only a proper and thorough medical can show us what our striding hides.

My message is - learn to stroll. It will help you stride better for longer!

I learnt to stroll from who else but my dear old Jordan who can no longer trot during his walks. He ambles and I stroll along. Suddenly, I noticed the morning moon, the song of the early birds (and silent screams of the worms???), dew clinging onto leaves, the freshness of the flowers, scurrying ants (er ... striding ants?) and faces of people that tell their own stories (probably misinterpreted and wrong!). These were never noticed or noted when I use to stride along with a younger Jordan.

There is so much in life we miss when we stride. Learn to stroll ... sometimes.