I think the sunny California weather, beautiful Cupertino scenery, and an opportunity to just 'get out' had something to do with it, but these may not be the only reasons.
But it makes me wonder why more of us don't 'get out' and take a walk? If it worked for Steve Jobs why can't it work for us?
Of course there are typical excuses for NOT taking a walk:
No time.
No place to go.
Too stressed.
It's boring.
Don't have the right shoes at the right time.
But, aren't these the exact reasons to go walking!
1. You always have time to walk. Simply plan your activities around walking. Choose a place for lunch within walking distance of your office. Walk with your kids as they ride their bike after school. Ask your colleague(s) to walk while you have your meeting (Steve Jobs did it!).
2. There are places to walk everywhere. Walking right out your front door is often the best and most convenient place to walk. However, if your home is not an option, there are malls, greenways, shopping centers, community colleges or universities, public parks, or even treadmills. You can also see grocery shopping as your opportunity to walk a good distance.
It's said that the healthiest foods are around the outside isles of the grocery store, so why not walk all around the outside to get more acquainted?
It's said that the healthiest foods are around the outside isles of the grocery store, so why not walk all around the outside to get more acquainted?
3. When you're stressed out, take a walk. Walking works all parts of the body; physically it works more muscles than running, and psychologically, it allows the stressed-out parts of the brain have a rest.
4. Walking is never boring when you have the right attitude. Find an exciting place to walk that has water, lots of people, interesting scenery, or lots of plants and trees to look at and think about. Choose a great partner who makes the time go by much more easily and fun. Or, just smile as you walk, even if you're not happy at the moment, it helps to get you in the right frame of mind to change your thinking.
5. If you have feet you can walk anytime. Recent research, and the fact that it seems everyone is following the trend, shows that the 'Five Finger' shoes are good for you. Since they're much like not wearing shoes at all, why not take your shoes off when walking? This may not be comfortable for everyone, but it is an option!
Walking is a basic part of life. We learn to walk around age one and tend to continue doing it as long as we can. Yet, we don't do it enough.
Let's turn the trend around and start walking more.
Let's turn the trend around and start walking more.
The idea that we might get less done because we choose to take a walk isn't true. Busyness doesn't equal effectiveness. Just because you're always active doing stuff doesn't mean you're getting meaningful things done or connecting with people, the environment, or God.
Take a walk by yourself to clear your mind, take a walk with a spouse to reconnect and share, take a walk with your children to hear what they have to say, or take a walk with God and listen to all the wonderful things that he has to share!
