It's been one of those days.
Still, it's officially Spring, so even with me being under the weather, I braved it and went for a long walk in the woods.
UK Spring! Lovely, heh?
However, despite the cold, my mood was lifted, and I felt instantly better as my feet left the paved road onto the footpath through the woods. The air was fresh and perfect for my mindful walk, which allowed me to gauge my heart rate and focus on my breathing. I did better than I anticipated and felt good within myself, as I needed some of that natural mist on my face regardless.
Walks in nature are conducive to introspection as I get the chance to tune out "noises" and tune into my deeper feelings. Still, today my mind was on a lovely young lady I met on holiday who had just turned 30 years old.
She was experiencing some changes in her life and going through what seemed like the most difficult time with no light.
It's like a clock was ticking!
No, it was not a biological clock with a desire for kids and family, that many women seem to experience at the age of 30. It was a yearning desire to travel and discover the world.
-- "I want to travel and see the world outside of Egypt. I have been saving for it." said the young lady.
Hearing those words, and the way she uttered them, made my eyes dilate and I smiled inside as I listened to her dreams.
There was "something" that brought me to her that day, and I quickly realised that she needed to talk.
Four hours had passed, but it was not wasted.
It felt good to connect with a stranger and share deep desires and fears.
I was honest with her and expressed that I'm not the kind for chit-chat, but I make time for someone who needs to talk and that I was happy that I took a stroll and encountered her.
Accept grey!
Grey is the necessary colour that we need to see to make good decisions. Do not think in absolutes because challenges are going to be with you throughout every stage of your life. Knowing, accepting and embracing the good and bad will help.
Appreciate what you have, and everything around you and always look for new ways to do old things, so that you improve yourself and not feel stagnant.
You are "going" to be strong... she cut me and asked, "how do I become strong"?
I continued. You are going to be strong and look back at what you think is a huge mountain, and it will seem like a tiny mole.
-- Yeah, but how do I become strong? she asked, again.
Continue to work on your goals for travelling. It's a courageous move that I encourage wholeheartedly.
Focus on your life. Not on what other people are doing.
Be your person: Even if you meet people along the way who you connect with. Be responsible for your life, and make decisions on your morals.
Spend wisely and understand that the value of money cannot be substituted, so invest where she can but have some balance and remember that life is for living.
The young lady was appreciative of our chat and I was filled with emotions because those words were from a reflection on my life. Vital things that I learned on my journey from the same age that she was currently at.
I pointed out to her that I was once weak, and that most of us were, as no one is born strong.
That revelation brought light to her eyes, and it was a self-evaluation of how far I have come.
I see grey, and accepting grey has made profound benefits in my life, the way I look at life, and the way I relate to people around me.
I keep things real, that's one of the reasons why wood is one of my favourite elements, hence one of the reasons why nature and the outdoors are my happy place. Being in nature helps to level up my consciousness, and where I go when I need to find answers within me. This is all a part of my minimalist way of living my life.
I'll remain patient even when there is grey, and when brighter sunny days come, I will embrace them just the same.
Namaste馃檹
Original content and images all belong to me
Photos (all mobile shots) were taken in Newton Abbot
March 21, 2023
