Every morning… okay okay, most mornings I try and go for a walk. -I save running for evading the police. On a serious note though, walking has become an important coping mechanisms for me. It’s what kept me sane before, during and after the lockdowns. It’s my way of checking in with myself before the day unfolds.

So, there I am on an early morning walk. I’ve been out of a job for a little over a month, and I’m trying to get a side hustle going. It would’ve been easier to stay in bed, descending into a downward spiral, but life (bills in particular) don’t give us the option of wallowing in self-pity for too long.

Up ahead I come across a Jacaranda tree in full bloom, leaning over the pavement. Picture it. It’s just after 5am. The magenta flowers are against a cloudy early sunrise. The clouds look like they are preceding something majestic as their edges give off a bright golden glow of anticipation, while the rest of the horizon is a soft orange-gold hue.

I actually had to pause for a moment, to appreciate this magnificent medley of colours as a gentle cool quiet morning breeze tickled my face. What a sight it was! It felt like a personal gift, just for me to enjoy.

The truth is -especially for us city folks- we are always chasing down time in an attempt to secure the bag. Always rushing from point A to point B in order to hopefully just make it to point C before making a last dash to catch D. A neverending rat race. The result? We miss out on those magical moments, like that slice of heaven I enjoyed that morning.

One of the many things that walking does -without the headphones or a device to distract you- is it makes you mindful and fully present. It also helps you slow down, just for a moment, and reconnect with yourself.

Granted, not all of us live in safe neighbourhoods that allow us to take walks (that in itself is an indictment of a country on edge), but if you can find a safe spot, or a park, or someone to walk with regularly, it will do your mental health the world of good. And maybe, just maybe, you might be blessed enough to witness the kind of Jacaranda-infused sunrise I did a while ago.