Walking For Pleasure

I'm walking the winter trail these days, and when there's snow it's harder going. I've found it becomes even more of a slog when I'm thinking how hard it is, or comparing my progress to other times. My neck and jaw muscles start to get tight as I push on, my dedication becoming stubbornness.

But I'm supposed to be walking for pleasure.

So my latest practice while we have snow to slog through, is to notice when the walk stops being fun. I relax the muscles that don't have to be tight, and start again, taking my cues from my body. When my body is enjoying the walk, then I am enjoying the walk.