BY DIANE KERTH “Walking Squared” is a path to the life we want to be living.
The other day I went for a long walk outside. It was late in the day which was a mistake because it was hot! Very Hot! Sweaty hot! Where all you may think about is being hot. For a long time now, I have used my walks as a time to focus, recharge and get in tune with myself. Sometimes I listen to music and other times just listen to the sounds around me such as birds, the wind, or trees rustling. Walking is so much more than just burning calories. On this particular walk, my head was saying things like, “Gosh I’m out of shape. I’m so mad at myself. I shouldn’t have been eating so much. This is what I get for being lazy lately.“ It was all kinds of negative, beat myself up, words. Fortunately, I caught myself and thought, this is not helping me push through this hard walk. I know better than to get caught in a pattern of negative thinking. I need to find positive things to say to myself. I need to start thinking strong, uplifting, empowering words. I know it will make me feel better, so I need to change it! I kept walking, putting one foot in front of the other, step after step, till struggling with the heat but NOW thinking. “I am strong. I am kind. I am out here walking instead of sitting on the couch eating. I am moving instead of watching TV. I am getting healthier. I can do this. ” I started to feel better, repeating over and over positive words. I was getting more energized with each positive thought and the walk became more tolerable. The words I was FEEDING myself made a huge difference on completing the walk. I made it home with a smile on my face and proud of how I was now feeling. Feeding myself positive information is important to living my life, Walking Squared. It’s a term I live by, which reminds me of what I want in life and that it takes effort, intention and focus. You see, there is a blue square I drew with a pen, on a piece of white paper, hanging in my house. People ask me about it ALL the time. “Why is that paper, with the blue square on it, taped to your kitchen cabinet?” It’s because it reminds me that I DO know what I want. It’s a reminder to refocus, keep my goals, dreams and desired life in clear focus. I’m definitely not in control of all things in life but I do have control over some areas of my life. I control what I can control, and I let the rest go. The life I want is IN that square. How I feel about myself goes IN that square and so everything IN that square will be all things good! 😊 I am constantly on a quest to move forward in my life, step-by-step, towards all of the things that are in that blue square posted on my kitchen cabinet. It’s what I call Walking Squared, Moving Forward with Focus. The blue square on my kitchen cabinet is a clean blue square. Once you’ve done the work and know what you want in it, the blank square acts as an awesome reminder. The first thing to living this way is to figure out what we want our lives to be about? Who do we want to be? What’s important to us? Draw a square on a piece of paper. What words would you put in it? Happy, Encouraging, Loving, Healthy, Confident, are some of MY words. Then after it’s filled in with as many as you want, draw another square on a different page with how would you describe your life now? If the squares match with similar words, then excellent! But if you find yourself writing down words such as tired, stressed, worried, angry, drinking too much, eating too much, embarrassed of who I am, then there are definitely areas to improve upon, assuming that is NOT the life you want to be living. How we communicate makes a huge impact on who we are and the life we lead. I believe that we treat ourselves based on what we say to ourselves. Grab hold of the power we have available to each of us by saying positive empowering words to ourselves, as well as the positive things we can say to others. Words can lift people up or tear people down. Words are our thoughts; our thoughts drive our emotions. Our emotions drive our choices. All of this drives how our life unfolds. If we want what’s in our desired squares, we need to start speaking words that will guide us to our desired result. I strive to be Walking Squared every day. What’s in your square?
6 Comments
MaryBeth
6/7/2020 01:31:58 pm
Hey Diane!
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Diane Kerth
6/7/2020 06:36:42 pm
Thanks MaryBeth, Having a strong focus on knowing what we want, helps to keep us on track and easier to refocus when we get off track!
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Neal
6/7/2020 07:55:37 pm
It’s so inspiring. I walk with challenges every day. It is good to see the positive and uplifting choices that we forget to hold onto. It’s unfortunate, but with this crazy busy world we forget about ourselves and how to focus our energy to the good. Thank you for your positive inspiration, it’s greatly needed for myself and all.
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Diane
6/8/2020 02:58:26 pm
Thank you Neal. You are definitely not alone with having challenges every day. One difference is that not everyone will admit they have challenges and try to act as if nothing is ever wrong. Artificial happiness is not what we are going for. We appreciate you sharing! The analogy of being on an airplane and putting our oxygen mask on first before we can help others is so important. We aren't good to anyone else if we don't take care of ourselves. Thanks!
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connie
6/8/2020 11:57:49 am
Hello Diane, I agree that the positive and empowering words we say to ourselves and others make a world of difference. Indeed, words can lift people up or tear them down. We really need to be deliberate with what we say and consider how our words will bring joy or pain to others. Let us always choose joy in all that we do. Thanks for your clear and concise writing and for sharing your experiences with us.
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Diane
6/8/2020 03:05:04 pm
Thank you Connie, Our words are so powerful! I have often seen joy come over someone's face when a few choice positive genuine words were told to them. It benefits both the giver and receiver. Leadership is about influence and building other leaders. Raising people up with words is one way to do it!
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