johnacameron.com

Sometimes we get so stuck in where and when we are that we don’t realize a completely different world is a few feet, or minutes away.  This completely different world could be as close as simply thinking a little differently about our world.  Perhaps this world is as close as a conversation with a supportive friend or a good night’s sleep.  This new world might be as close as a course to increase your knowledge or a book that you haven’t read.

This new world might be as close as a long walk to clear your head.  This new world might just be a few feet away-literaly.

In these days of headlines filled with unemployment and war and scarcity mentality it is easy to forget that happiness, fulfillment and opportunity do exist.  It is easy to forget that sometimes we are so close that we don’t even know it.  Some people are doing quite well. Some people are doing extraordinarily well.  And most of these people share one thing in common-the ability to move that magical few feet, few seconds or few thoughts away from where they are stuck.

We don’t know it because we believe the negatives or don’t look or listen.  Example:  The pictures below.

A Picture Taken Along the American River

Now below you will see another picture taken from about 10 feet away at exactly the same time.

Hello Everybody, and welcome to my blog.  First thing, since it’s so hot outside here in Sacramento, California today I wanted to share a  picture.  This picture was taken in winter a few years ago along the American River near my home.

The American River when it was a little cooler out

Because it is so hot out now I thought I would give you a nice way to know that the heat doesn’t last forever.    Pretty soon, in a few months, we will have rain.  And some of us will complain about it, just like some of use are complaining about the heat.

Here’s what I would like you to do.  Remember that nothing lasts forever.  There is an awful lot of woeful news out there- war, revolution, terrible economic predictions.  How many of us remember 2007? When everyone was working and housing prices were going up and the stock market was going up.  Many folks thought that the trend was going to last forever.

The good news and bad news is that nothing lasts forever.  If you are feeling a little down in the dumps, as I was today before I took the dogs for a walk along the American River early in the morning, simply know that nothing is forever.  And one of the greatest ways to get a different perspective is to do a little geographic change.  If you are lucky enough to live in Sacramento you can get to the river from almost anywhere in a few minutes and take a walk.

The moving water, geese, the occasional otter, and, if you are out early and quiet enough, deer or coyote, will help change your perspective.   And walking is one of the greatest things you can do for your physical and mental health.  Walking has much of the aerobic benefit that running does, and without the dangers inherent in running.

So if you are a little blue, put on your walking shoes and get down to the river or some other place that’s a big change from your grind.  Then walk and breath and remember that whatever your struggles, nothing lasts forever.  The way you get through anything is the way you take a walk.  Just put one foot in front of the other and take that next step.  And, you know what?  You’ll be amazed at the ground you can cover, if you take that first step and just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Feel free to copy this picture for your own personal use.  It puts a smile on my face every time I look at it and I would like to think that I can help put a smile on your face as well.