Walks and Talks
Walks are therapeutic. They are great for your health and also for you state of mind. Next time you are feeling stressed out, take a walk. If you have a spouse or friend who can walk with you, even better. Walking and talking relieves stress in magical ways. When we are allowed to get something off our chest in a safe place, it clarifies the situation and allows for options to be considered that you may not have imagined. Just make sure you take someone positive with you. You don’t need someone to pour gas on the fire. You need someone who will listen and love you through it in a non-judgmental way. If you have nobody to walk with you, remember that God is always with you and He is a GREAT listener. The only caution I would give you is that if you are alone and talking to God out loud, make sure you are in a secluded place. Otherwise, people just might think you are crazy! :o)
As a footnote, I do walks and talks with kids regularly at school to allow them to cool down from volatile situations and vent to me. Most of the time they calm down when they are truly heard. In the end, isn’t that what everyone wants: to be respected and heard? Self control is best learned at an early age, but we are never too old to learn it.
Shalom!
Daniel Skognes