Serenity, Joy, and Friendship

Originally posted on my out of Zaadz blog - some edits -

Learning about blogging as a communication tool - and adding it to my toolbox - is part of the "why I do it". But I got a friendly kick in the tail today. Really, this blog is about you, dear reader and blogger in community. Just like I depend on others blogging - as I like to comment - some of you may visit for the same reason. Though with 50 million or so blogs, you'd think there would be more commenting going on :) So I resolve to think first of others in these posts. No guarantee of value but you will always have an opportunity to comment!

The inspiration for this post comes from over at ProBlogger. I saw it a couple days ago and it's been rattling around ever since. Be sure to view the video posted - its less than a minute long. And the thoughts at Presentation Zen are worthwhile - but a little long <------judgment call (like I should pass judgment on length of posts - HA!).

Three years ago, I began working toward becoming more healthy. It was a lifestyle change and resulted in significant weight loss. In addition to making better choices in what I ingest there was an increase in movement and exercise. I walk. I walk a lot. Most days I walk twice for a total 5-10 miles. I LOVE to walk. (can somebody help me with kilometers?)

Here's where the solitude comes in. For the first year of my walking, I was alone. Over 1500 miles of being alone in thought. Gets downright personal. Its easy to center on the activity of walking. It also gives a chance to massage an idea ot thought into an action. This is a critical point in blogging. Its not a post until its written :)

About 18 months ago, I started walking with a friend during my lunchtime. I really enjoy Lynn's company and conversation. Still had my morning walk to gather my thoughts....until a year ago.

It was then I gained a morning walking partner. My morning partner's wife died a year ago last Monday - 1.15.2006 - and the funeral was a year ago today. This is a time of reflection for both of us. I barely knew Bob when a few days after the funeral I said -

"If there is anything you want to talk about or anything you need, please let me know". He asked if I was still walking in the morning could he join me. "Of course!" It's lonley on those dark streets :)

There I suddenly found myself with walking comrades twice a day.I wouldn't trade any of the times with Lynn or Bob. Some of my happiest moments are with them. We talk, we laugh, we cry, we discover our humanity. It is really my joy of 2006.

Until the last few days, I wouldn't have given lost solitude a second thought. But Wednesday and Thursday - at lunch - I walked alone. It was nice. The snow crunched beneath my boots - ever notice how loud snow is? - the 14 degree weather iced my mustache. And I came up with the idea of this post. I came to the realization that blogging is for others. Solitude will do that - won't you try it?

Be good to yourself by taking time to remember others.