Early morning walks inspire deep thoughts

I wonder if Jack Handy ever wrote any of his "Deep Thoughts" while taking an early morning walk along a canal bank like the one pictured above.

I've uncovered several of my own along a canal bank. In fact, I frequent this particular spot pictured above. Called the Arizona Canal, it runs about 25 miles from one end to the other (from Scottsdale to Glendale), thus, providing a great running, hiking, jogging, walking and bike riding route for people who live, work and visit Phoenix. It also makes a great place to ponder.

Along the way, you'll see trees, desert vegetation, the water, an historic resort, elegant homes, and a landmark rock formation with spiritual qualities. Called the Praying Monk, I watch for it and always pause to take in those qualities.

I prefer to ride or walk alone along the canal, so I can savor the time to think. But sometimes my daughter joins me, and we experience the healing qualities of water together. And on Saturdays, you'll find me there with friends. They run it. I walk it, winding up with a six-mile exercise-filled morning. Sometimes, when I'm in my best shape, I can run four. But generally I walk the six. We all meet at a nearby coffee house for breakfast afterward. It's a pleasant way to begin a weekend.

Despite the enjoyment I feel when I'm with other people, I definitely prefer my time alone out there along side of the water. It's a calm and relaxing place. Ducks swim along with me, baby chicks following behind this time of year. Birds fly over me in the trees. Bikers and runners pass me by. Occasionally, I'll see entire families. We exchange friendly hellos. Especially when I'm out there by myself, I'm inspired by all of these sounds and sights. Ideas come to me. Answers to questions I'd been having are revealed. I've even recited entire speeches in my head, if I have an upcoming presentation.

The canal provides a quiet place to consider the challenges of the day. When I get back home, I write everything I can remember down in my journal. Some of it I use right away. But most of what I jot down I save for a later purpose. I look forward to this time. If I could go daily, I would.

Do you have a spot near water where you go to spend time alone with your thoughts? If there's nothing like this near you, how could you create such a healing space for yourself?

Question of the Day: nurturing the self

What are you doing this weekend to nurture yourself?

I've entered a weight loss contest with my daughter. It's her and her daughter going up against me and my BF. We've challenged each other, as teams, to see which couple can lose the most weight in six months.

We're checking in with each other every two weeks to monitor our progress. Whichever couple loses the most weight that week, percentage-wise, has to make the other couple dinner at home. (We're also finding ways to eat healthier and at home; this looks like it'll be a good one)

So this weekend, I'm dragging my daughter out with me for a six-mile walk. For me, it's not so much about the weight loss as it is about being sure I'm staying healthy, exercising, eating right, and staying in shape. I need to firm up the old body. And I want that for my daughter as well.

So I mentioned that she and her husband could come with my BF and I on the regularly scheduled Saturday runs. I only run sometimes. Mostly I walk briskly. I'm too slow for the regular running group, so I choose whatever feels right on any given Saturday. Sometimes, we ride our bikes, instead. I especially love those days.

At any rate, we meet together afterward for coffee and catching up. It's a nice routine to have waiting when other obligations or events don't get in the way. It's definitely a great way to nurture the heart, mind and soul, and I look forward to when I can go.

This weekend my daughter's coming with me, and that's how I'm nurturing myself. On Sunday, I'm also hiking--because I do want to win that contest.

Exercise is especially crucial for me when I've got a huge project going on that would otherwise keep me glued to the chair and in front of the computer for hours on end, which is the case with me now. I need to stayed focused and unwind.

How about you? Is exercise a part of your nurturing plan this weekend?

(Photo above of Arizona Canal taken by Jackie Dishner)

Thought for the day

Yesterday, on my way to a breakfast meeting, I spotted a coyote running down a street in my neighborhood. Right after that, I caught a quick glance of the sunrise over the Arizona Canal--both streaks of yellow that took my breath away. Sometimes, the sudden glance is not enough. I wanted to pull over and take a picture but didn't; I'd have been late to my meeting.

That made me wonder if I should be scheduling "time with nature" on my calendar? That's one way to connect with our Best self.

Thoughts?