monday missions :: take your daily constitutional

Monday Missions: a simple idea to add a little magic to your week.

daily constitutional: a walk taken for one's health

We weave in and out of seasons of taking walks as a family. When my children were much younger, neighborhood walks in strollers were common several times a day. 

Now, much of our walking happens when we hike in the woods or have a particular destination (the library or a class that is nearby). But, recently, we have been trying to take our daily constitutional, through the neighborhood, after dinner. It is such a great way to help your food digest and unwind. The days that we walk are usually the days that everyone falls asleep more gently and at peace. 

We never cease to have a mini adventure when we walk around our neighborhood. We have come across magically lit trees in the middle of fields, neighbors making kettle corn and offering a bag, whole galleries of amateur artwork being thrown out that we eagerly rifle through and many ducks and turtles having life adventures that we watch and sometimes participate in.

And, the words and ideas and plans and dreams really start flowing when our legs are moving. Sometimes from all three kids at once. Something happens to the mind when we walk. We loosen up our brain and start connecting all the disparate bits and bobs that are knocking around into cohesive ideas and feelings. It is a gift to give your children and yourself at the end of the day.

So, this week, my challenge to myself (and you if you want to play along) is to walk each night after dinner and see what happens.

How do you walk with your kids?