As the temperatures were mild, I did yoga on the towpath along the canals this morning. It was a relatively early morning start following an early night's sleep at 22:00 hours, and I felt proper rested compared to a sunken bad habit of creeping into bed just before sunrise, a habit that certainly needs to be broken.
Doing meditative exercises outdoors has always been my preferred location, as nature has a tremendously positive effect on the mind and body, especially next to a body of water.
However, I'm feeling rusty and requiring assistance with focusing and controlling my deep breathing while exercising, so I relied on the soothing sounds of Tibetan Bells playing on my Spotify through my wireless headset.
I completely zone out when I'm doing my Yoga, and with disturbing sounds masked by my headset, I opened my eyes to the face of a friendly strange dog, while inverted in downward dog position.
A black one like this I believe, an Irish Setter.
Source:
He kissed my toes then flashed and did a shimmy shake, thankfully he was dry. The owner apologised, however, I found his happiness contagious.
I've never been comfortable with dogs, but for the past 5 months, I've come to realise just how adorable these creatures actually are.
So much so, that I often stroke and pet the friendly dogs who tend to run up to say hello.
Source:
As I was closing off my morning session, I got talking to a lovely elderly couple, Wendy and Graham, who I had seen walk by before from my kitchen window while preparing meals. I quickly identified that there would be more than just casual chatter of the weather, and the unpredictability of it. They enquired if my boat had been moored further along the canals recently, as they recalled seeing it. I confirmed and explained that we've been on this stretch of the canals for an extended period awaiting the arrival of our new boat engine and fire stove, for installation.
Wendy and Graham, mentioned that they are not boat owners themselves, but that they've recently retired since the start of the pandemic, and that walking is something they look forward to on a daily basis, besides riding their motorbikes and going camping.
I admired their mindsets, and their demeanours exuded positivity to life.
They've been living locally in Tamworth for over 40 years, shortly after getting married, an area where Graham said he discovered his late dad was originally from. Wendy and Graham explained their walking route and I realised that it was quite a long distance that they covered, and it was inspirational. I think it's important for people, especially ones who are recently retired and are probably feeling like they have no purpose anymore, to do simple things like walking in nature.
Harking back to times spent abroad, they said they missed the mountains in countries like Austria, Italy and France, and hope that very soon they'll be able to travel freely and go on holidays that have been postponed for almost 2 years now.
Telling them that I'd just returned from the Philippines after 7 years, they made mention of their son who is married to a Filipina and of their family.
Notwithstanding, we acknowledged the beauty surrounding us here in the English countrysides, and the convenience of living here in the UK.
We sometimes take things for granted, but one of the things I enjoy most about life in the UK is how accessible to international products and produce, due to the multi-cultures of people that make of Britain.
I marvel that I can pick up any recipe book and make a shopping list of ingredients that I've never heard of, and I'm guaranteed to find it in any major supermarkets across the UK. That's something that they could relate to having lived and traveled to less developed countries than their own.
Exchanging pleasantries, smiling and expressing gratitude for a multitude of things, we agreed how nice it is to get outside. Some persons, especially the elderly and more vulnerable of society have been in isolation for lengthy periods, and they could personally identify with a neighbour who felt intimidated having to leave her house alone after losing her husband recently.
So much has changed and is continually changing, that can leave us with feelings of despair.
Simple things can have big impacts on our lives and the lives of others.
Wendy stated that she has a twin sister, who she speaks with regularly as she lives alone. Having a social element to our lives is important, whether it's meeting up with friends, and family, an internet chat, or just a smile and acknowledgement of strangers can enhance a dull day.
We walked away smiling and I could not help but think what a beautiful encounter it was, and a fulfilling way to start my day.
Has something simple made you smile recently?
Thank you for reading and have a nice day;)
