Walking Enhances Creativity

by Juliana Leslie

I escaped my fiftieth birthday by running away to a health spa. As it turned out, it was the best gift I could have given myself. My reasoning involved needing a jump start out of my relatively non-exercise based daily routine as well as the rut I had fallen into with my creative energy. It didn’t occur to me that the two might be linked. I was excited about what was described in the brochure as a morning of vigorous exercise, beginning with a three to five mile hike each morning at 6:15. I have to say, given the state I was in, that the only enticement I had for doing such a thing, was the reward of enjoying an afternoon of spa treatments, pampering and relaxation.

The week I chose, which also included my birthday, was for women only. It was also a theme week. Mine was a week of beauty and I felt a bit desperate for that. Upon arrival, I was handed 3 sets of gray sweats, three pair of gray shorts and three T shirts. No one worried about hair or makeup as that would be taken care of by someone else as the week progressed. The wakeup call came every morning at 5:45. Somehow I popped out of bed, joined the others for stretch and was on my walk by 6:30. I chose to walk the sidewalks of an 18 hole golf course. We would arrive well before any of the golfers with the only noise being that of the lawn sprinklers or a mower off in the distance. The birds were waking up and the scent of an array of California flowers would permeate the air now and then. We started with the front 9, then the back 9 and then the entire course, with an effortless strength and endurance that built as the days progressed. Some days I’d walk alone, others I’d find myself walking the same pace as someone else and we’d enjoy the deep conversation you can share with another individual while walking.

I began to notice inspiration welling up inside me. Beginning my day with invigorating, heart pounding exercise and spending afternoon hours in peaceful, quiet, bliss inside my own head began to literally turn off the constant, irrelevant chatter we all have going on constantly. I phoned home less and less often and after the first few days, I ceased altogether. Something was happening to me and I needed to tune into it alone. I was scheduled into an introduction and walk through a labyrinth which, at the time felt meaningless, but in my mind’s eye appeared to unwind the tight knot of stress that was blocking my energy flow. My sleep was deep and refreshing, closing my eyes each night with a smile lightly formed on my lips, knowing that tomorrow may reveal the identity of what I was creating in my subconscious.

It didn’t happen until my sixth day away. Along with several inches, I shed the veil I had been trying to look through and unclogged the blocks that had stopped my creative energy from flowing. I couldn’t stop writing! I sat up at my desk into the night with no concern about not getting enough rest before my morning walk. I was creating phase three of Whispering Waters. Out came a business plan, a list of construction needs, remodeling ideas, gardening plans, decorating details and a complete vision of what I hope to be able to create and offer our guests. Over the past ten years my creativity has been poured into Whispering Waters and it’s time to continue onward with my vision. It’s crystal clear to me what my next step is and I’m excited to share it with my partners. When I’m in my creative mode I’m relentless and my excitement can be intoxicating and contagious.

I found myself again and I’m happy to be back. I know my morning walks and the goodness they provided were key. I’m thankful this is a part of my experience I can bring back home with me. So take a walk, breathe in the fresh, pure air, get your blood pumping and your creative thoughts flowing. It can only be good, because I believe creativity is the purest form of why we are here.

Juliana Leslie, M.A. Ed. is certified in Holistic Health through WMU and completed a two year mentorship with Shakti Gawain. She offers retreats for women and is the proprietor of Whispering Waters Bed and Breakfast Retreat. www.whisperingwatersbb.com or 888-880-5557.