There are a lot of things that are pleasurable and free but today I’m talking about the pleasure of taking a walk.

It has been my joy recently to take walks with a couple of new friends in Dorchester as well as to continue on solo jaunts while doing errands across Boston.  I have walked through Cedar Grove Cemetery (how tranquil) and along the Neponset River (how calming).  I have walked down Dorchester Avenue from Ashmont Station beyond Field’s Corner (I plan to make it all the way to Columbia Road).  I’ve walked by the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and made my way to South Station.  I have walked through the Boston Commons, the Public Garden and up Newbury Street.  I plan to walk along the path around the golf course in Franklin Park again – a walk I did daily for some years.

Walking has many benefits besides boosting fitness.  Walking:

o Allows me to know my neighborhood and other neighborhoods in a more intimate way than public transportation or auto travel allow;
o Sweeps stresses and concerns away;
o Brings solutions to writing problems and ideas for new stories and essays;
o Takes me back to childhood as I hear the laughter of children and have re-memories of my own childhood;
o Gives me freedom to meander aimlessly or stride with purpose;
o Makes me sweat (especially going up hills) and cools me down (with breezes coming off water or from the canopy of trees);
o Is a prayer of gratitude as I count my blessing while walking in solitude;
o Is the joy of companionship and unexpected conversations;
o Is the beauty of flowers and architecture and other people;
Is a wonderful way to spend time with my granddaughter and point out things along the way;
o Allows me to catch up to myself and what’s going on with me while listening to my thoughts;
o Massages my tired feet especially when I walk on grass or sand;
o Limbers me up.

What is sweeter than feeling the sun on my face, working up a thirst, and sipping or gulping water to quench it? How refreshing to take a cleansing shower or soak in a tub after walk.  Best of all -  it’s free and always available!  When I get a slicker, I may even walk in the rain (hair be damned!).  When I can corral my husband, I plan to walk with him hand-in-hand just because he's my guy.

If you don’t already, I urge you to take a walk.  It’ll do your body and soul good.