McKinley Park is a small pastoral oasis in the heart of big-city Chicago.
Since 2013, I've walked the pathways in an attempt to stay healthy by keeping in motion. At first, it was just exercise, a sort of personal competition, how far can I walk, how fast can I do it? I started monitoring my progress.
Eventually, I added music to the experience which made it more enjoyable. Music allows me to relive moments from my life when these songs were meaningful. Memories are subtle but stubborn things.
Now my walks are a personal refuge, a gift, a cherished ritual where I can simply absorb nature and movement and awareness. I see other folks doing their own thing. I've met lots of dogs and their owners. Most people, I know by sight yet we haven't spoken. I never imagined that just smiling and nodding to someone could be such pleasant communication. It's a real treat to share this planet, this park with other beings.
Yep, that's what I thought about today.
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