How a Sidewalk Rest Stop Can Elevate Your Life

How a Sidewalk Rest Stop Can Elevate Your Life
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I tried running one summer a few years back. I hadn't run in decades. Running hurts me. I don't get a high or lean thighs. My friend Kelley invited me to run 3 miles a couple of times a week. I like her company even if it was going to be shared time running up hills, so I said sure. I felt a bit of panic each time I showed up on her doorstep. I made it, barely, my little lungs (I was a preemie is my excuse) burning even at our fair pace. What kept me going? Besides getting to have girlfriend time, a little sweat pour and a bit of swagger after that last steep west hill reached? The sidewalk pause is what kept me keeping on.

A ritual was born the first day out together on foot. When we reached the peak of our climb, Kelley lay herself prone face up on the sidewalk, her gorgeous hair and all. I was thinking of all the dirty shoes and pet paws that had gone before, so I stared at her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breathe in. This seemed out of character to me. She is beautiful (did I mention her magnificent mane?) and poised and not really a lay on the cracks kind of gal. Try it, Kay, it feels good. Sure. I get comfortable quite instantly, easily forgetting the filth I am up rubbing myself into. I feel the release of the run wash over my body. I am relaxed. Transformative peace, on this pedestrian path, I feel. I am addicted. This is why I kept coming back. The sidewalk moment.

Fast forward a few rainy seasons and a pause in our ambition to run. Last week, it's extra scorching out, so Kelley and I set out for an early am hike. We have decided upon an 8ish mile loop with a lot of up. After a set of steep (are they to code steep?) steps and a mile of concrete incline before we get into the Enchanted Forest on our trail, she lies down on the sidewalk like old times. I am tired today, she says as her eyes flutter shut. I have so much to do and I feel overwhelmed. I need to lie down for a minute. I scoot in next to her even though cars are flying past, late for work, witness to our pavement pause. I feel rested and nestled in. I ask my pal, what do you need and want to manifest today? She says she really needs a nap but she wants to bring forth this new corporate client to photograph. A big wish that has been on her mind for some time. I already Know she will get this client. She still does't get how amazing she is, maybe since she hangs out with herself all day long and doesn't witness her own uniqueness. Do any of us for that matter? Maybe that's why each could use a sidewalk sidekick, to bear witness to our brilliance. I have the honor of bearing witness to her greatness, often. And she reminds me of my wow bits, too.

Ok, what can you do about that wish now that you have declared it, I ask. She stated her commitment to her To-Dos to get there. She knows I will likely text them to her later. I also declare my dreams for the day and the to-dos I need to tend to for them to show up. Up we go after the brief respite. Ready for the next 7 miles, we set off. Later that day, she sends me a note, I took a long nap in my studio and I feel unproductive, she shares. I shouldn't have, she guiltily admits. The word should makes me cringe. I send her a Huffington article about the value of a good nap and how a little snooze is great support for creative work. Sleep can ignite the possibility and creativity in us, I believe. If we are so sleepy, we can not truly know our dreams, can we?

The next day, the wished upon client, emails and invites her into their seemingly impermeable lair. Looks like our sidewalk stops are bringing us both pause time to reflect and declare what we want. These lay on the crack times have become productive mindful manifesting moments. End result, great stuff is happening when we lie down on the sidewalk.

I think I will call Kelley, unless she is busy napping or working with her new client, to book our next hike and sidekick sidewalk time.

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