An Unplugged Walk

Forgetting my headphones turned into the best part of my week

I Forgot My Headphones

This weekend, I spent a crisp autumn morning on a walk. I was trying to get out the door relatively quickly because Jackson had a work call. In my rush, the thought of grabbing headphones to listen to a podcast or music did not even cross my mind.

And as I began my walk, I realized I couldn’t remember the last time I had gone on an unplugged walk. Just me, nature, and my thoughts.

I had no agenda. No plan of where I was walking or for how long.

As I walked, I saw chipmunks, squirrels, a cardinal, a blue jay, and a bunny. I stood as the leaves fell around me, and I crunched them under my feet. My nose turned red from the chilly morning air.

It was probably the most present I had been in a while, and I came home feeling so refreshed.

The next day, I took another phone free walk, but this time I was with Jackson.

It was some of the best conversation we have had recently and became such an effortless yet intentional time of connection.

I was reminded this week at church that knowledge only has transformative power when it is turned into practice.

I can know that going on a walk without my phone / headphones is an incredible way to be more present in my own body, connect with myself, and commune with God. But knowing it does not mean I am actually getting off the couch and walking.

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Where My Mind Wandered

If you feel burnt out, in need of refreshment, creatively depleted, or far from God, I think an unplugged walk is a great remedy. These are just a few things I was thinking about as I wandered around.

1. I love that God chose birds to tell us not to worry because they’re all around us. No matter where we are, we can look up at a bird to remind us of His words.

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"

- Matthew 6:26-27

2. I saw so many different animals as I walked, and it had me thinking about how even when we feel like we are in a desert or a valley, there is always life around us!

   

   my new friends :)

3. This particular morning, I took a completely different path than our typical one. I felt a simple prompting to go another way, step out of my comfort zone. And while it may be a small and silly example, it reminded me that when I am quiet and not distracted, I can hear His voice more. And when I listen and obey, I can find abundance and life.

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Your Turn

I wanted to write about my walk in hopes that it would encourage someone else to go on one. Try one by yourself and one with a loved one. It doesn’t have to be long. It doesn’t have to be at a specific time. The only requirement is to leave your phone / headphones at home.

There’s something about walking that is made for presence. God walked in the garden with Adam and Eve. Jesus walked with his disciples. And we can walk (both physically and metaphorically) - being fully present with ourselves, with God, and with one another.

Comment or send me a picture of your unplugged walk!

Take care,

Caroline