Day 9

Let me start off by thanking Jo for telling me about Michael Moore’s walks. Moore decided to walk 30 minutes every day.  He explained the desire to do so by saying: The path to happiness – and deep down, we all know this — is created by love, and being kind to oneself, sharing a sense of community with others, becoming a participant instead of a spectator, and being in motion. Moving. Physically moving around all day. Lifting things, even if it’s yourself. Going for a walk every day will change your thinking and have a ripple effect.

And I agree–walking does change your thinking. Walking gives your body a rhythm and lets you synchronize yourself with yourself. Body and brain move together marrying the motion within physical space to  the motion within the self. Maybe that’s why Thoreau considered walking a transcendental experience.

The promontory in the background is the highlight of my walk.

Walkingwise, the easiest part–a shaded boardwalk at Livadia.

And the boardwalk ends here.

Searching for sea glass on the beach…

sea glass inside a plastic bottle as a door stop

in the corner, more of my sea glass stash

Sea glass is just  broken glass weathered and worn by the sea.  The constant motion of the waves smooths out the rough edges.  It’s what happens to me when I walk–my sharpness loses its edge.

Today’s mantra comes from one of my favorite Greek singers, Eleftheria Arvanitaki.  The song is “Δυνατά” (dinata) which can be translated roughly as “strength” although I’ve seen it translated as “might”, too. But the idea is the same. Anyway, Eleftheria sings that, like a woman, night gives birth to day and the impossible becomes possible.

Dinata, dinata, dinata, om dinata.

related links: Seaglass Journal for collectors + Eleftheria Arvanitaki + Walking
by Henry David Thoreau pdf + Saskia and her dog