Headwinds and Longer Days.

Today, as I turned around at the end of my route, I came face to face with a big headwind that was sharp and unrelenting. It was difficult and exhausting. There were moments when I felt as if I had to put my head down to push forward, and gusts so wild and invasive it felt as if my armor of two coats wasn’t enough to protect me. Mama Nature had a lesson for me today, and she wasn’t going to sit back and whisper it.

The thing about ThisMorningWalk is that it is like some of the harder moments in life. A headwind in life leaves you feeling vulnerable, ungrounded, and exposed. It requires determination, and a unwavering belief in yourself in order to make it.

As I turned the corner, I became frustrated and even a little fearful. I had a long way to go to get back to the car. Did I have enough layers to keep warm as I walked into this cold wind? Did I drink enough water before I left the house? Were my spirits high enough to get me to my car? I felt weary and knew this walk was going to take a bit of determination — and I wasn’t sure I had it. I had been hoping for smooth sailing and simple, gentle walk without much effort, honestly. This was going to take all the willpower I had in me. I know, I know, it is just a walk. You are right. But the combination of low spirits and uninspired effort were a tragic pairing. This walk home was going to be step by metaphorical step. Inch by inch. Breath by breath.

But this is a lot like life, right? We turn a corner and all of a sudden there is an unexpected headwind that takes the breath out of us. Here is what I have come to learn in these moments:

1. Break the moment, the task, the experience down into small increments and get curious. Step by step. This breath in, this breath out. My thought process looks something like this: Ok, ten steps. Now ten more. Go gently. Take a deep breath in and now exhale. Feel the way your foot lands on the earth. Remember, the cold wind on your neck won’t last forever. Get curious about these next five steps. You are safe. Now, pause and turn your face to the sun. Feel the warmth. Remember, the days are getting longer. You are now closer. Patience. Belief. You are ok. You are strong enough. You have hot tea in the car. You are almost there. See, you can do the hard stuff.
2. Be present with the moment. I say out loud, “welcome to right now” as a way to acknowledge the day and my place in it.
3. Remember, ThisMorningWalk is a gift. The more I move, the more I am moved. This walk is an act of life, of awakening. It is very simple. That’s the beauty.

Thanks for walking with me.
Libby

Libby DeLana is an award-winning executive creative director, designer/art director by trade, who has spent her career in the ad world. Click here to get your copy of Libby’s first published book, Do Walk. You can connect with Libby on Instagram @thismorningwalk and @parkhere, or visit www.thismorningwalk.com to learn more.