Walking The Dog Meditation

The one area in life that seems simple is when I walk the dog. There are times when the walk is inconvenient. The dog has a knack for knowing that it is 55 minutes into the hour long show. The big reveal is coming and the dog howls. And the killer is…dog at the door wanting to go out. 

There are more times when walking the dog is meditative. In daytime, I can listen to music and walk at a different pace. There are times when I can let go of the things bothering me. All those things I wished I said earlier. I can be angry about a circumstance and it’s done by the time I get home. I get to see outside which is good because I spend so much time indoors due to work or hobbies. I got to see the dogs in the neighborhood. I saw who moved out, who moved in. 

There are times writing when I don’t know the next scene. How do I end this scene? (dog bark to go out) I have to get away from the keyboard and face actual sunlight. It gives me time to think it out. I can’t talk to the dog because that will make me look odd. I still do it. The dog doesn’t have the answer how to get me out of a scene, but those walks outside force my mind work in a different setting. 

I don’t care for walking around the neighborhood carrying a bag of crap. It changes perspective on life. It’s humbling. 

As the dog ages, those walks do get shorter. it’s sad. I think about it when we walk on a bright day. A few years ago we would turn right then left and continue the walk to a different part of the town. Now we go around the block and he’s good. It doesn’t give me enough time to workout my issues. 

Now I think about mortality and how long will these walks go on.

I’ve come to appreciate these walks. Yes, they were inconvenient at first, but now I look forward to that after-work walk. I will enjoy them until we can’t do them anymore.