27 October 2012

Flip flops: A sure-fire way to slow things down...



Instead of hitting the trails in my running shoes and only seeing the larger scale of things,
the other day I had the opportunity to slow it down and see details...
exquisite details.

It came about following an appointment the morning after a night of heavy rain.
For some reason, I was wearing flip flops...on a potentially rainy day.
I think my reasoning was a distaste for soggy shoes...and
I had lent my rain boots to my daughter.


Feeling scattered and needing to restore mindfulness to my routine, I headed for nature.
Hiking a muddy, slippery trail in flip flops on a freshly-rained-on path
mandated a snail's pace and allowed me to see...

Raindrops on berry brambles.

Velvety lichen on an oak branch.

A pond turtle on a log catching some sun.
I swear it's a turtle in the middle there.
You might try clicking to biggify.

I took the time to smell the pungent bay laurel and the muskiness of damp leaves and soil,

to enjoy the clear and melodic sounds of wildlife and water runoff 
that always have a certain magic after it rains,

and, by virtue of wearing flip flops, to really feel the cool mud of the trail between my toes.

The healing, restorative qualities of nature astound me.

Thirty-five minutes later, I was revitalized, reinvigorated, re-energized and, at the same time, 
calmer and more at peace than I had been when I began.

Breaking routine can be a fantastic gateway to increasing mindfulness.
Taking it to the out-of-doors added such a grounding element for me.
I need to do this more often.

What do you do when you need a 'reset'?




27 comments:

  1. Beautiful! So glad you were able to recharge:) hiking always does that for me too. Next time I will have to wear flip flops:)

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  2. I hiked a trail in the Columbia Gorge in flip flops this summer. When you need to get out, you need to get out.

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  3. I've been turning to music lately for my reset. Digging up an old love really helps center my life.

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  4. I walk! It does wonders! Although sometimes, I shut myself in the room and meditate/sit quietly.

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  5. Wow! Looking at trail makes me tired. Surely wearing flip flops is a given that it will slow you down. Slow is good. Its better than getting into accidents or sliding at that muddy path.
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  6. I enjoy hiking vs trail running because hiking forces you to slow down and notice all the lovely things in nature (and I'm not good at taking photos while running!)

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  7. i’ve done a few walks lately too-they really do allow you to see more. I notice more in my neighborhood than I usually do. i also enjoy yoga-helps clear my mind.

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  8. What a place to slow down! What a great day for you. Where is the like button for that photo of the lichen?

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  9. Ahhh this sounds wonderful! I like unplugging outdoors too...though I do need to stop and smell the roses and see the details a little more...it's hard to slow down!
    Maybe the flip flops are the key?!

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  10. I think my problem is that I don't take the time to do the "reset". This is a good reminder that we all need it sometimes.

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  24. I do the same as you but whitout any shoes at all. Walking barefeet in the bud is a pleasure that all human being should have the opportunity to enjoy!

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