Mindful Miles

There’s a special kind of magic in those moments where seemingly simple plans gently pivot. Those are the threads that weave into cherised moments, becoming extraordinary .

My morning began with the familiar idea of getting in some mindful miles, but it quickly took a delightful turn. My daughter had plans to meet friends at the park, but when those didn’t quite pan out, a spontaneous thought bubbled up: “Fancy a walk?” I asked. Her immediate, enthusiastic “Sure! But where to?” set us off. “First to the park,” I suggested, “and then anywhere you decide. We’ve got an hour!” And with that flexible spirit, our little expedition began.

Even though the park is a place we know well, it felt utterly fresh with her by my side. We laughed easily, snapped silly pictures amidst the vibrant greenery, seeing familiar spots with new eyes. With 40 minutes left on our clock, she picked our next destination, leading us down a path we’d never explored together.

We discovered a fork in the road, passed a murmuring stream, and found a wonderfully unique tree with a perfectly shaped “swaddling spot” that just begged for a photo. We danced on a little bridge, giggled our way through countless pictures and videos, just soaking up the sheer, unscripted fun of it all.

The afternoon brought another burst of exhilaration. I hadn’t been on a bicycle in at least 30 years! But with my son’s enthusiastic “Go, Mum, go, Mum!”, I climbed on. What followed was 40 minutes of pure, exhilarating bliss, a joyful rediscovery of freedom and movement, made even more special by his cheers. It speaks volumes about embracing new (or old) challenges, and finding joy in the moment, fuelled by the encouragement of someone who believes in you.

As the evening light softened, a serene calm settled in. My husband and I took a quiet walk to feed the ducks. There’s something incredibly soothing about being by the water as the day winds down, and I couldn’t help but giggle as the ducks swam eagerly towards me, beaks open for their supper. It was a moment of simple peace, and quiet wonder, shared with nature. A perfect end to a day filled with active joy.

What a day it was. Every little moment, every shared laugh, every unexpected turn on the path, held so much meaning. As I reflect on it all now, my heart swells with gratitude for the gift of life itself, for my incredible family who fill my days with joy, for the endless beauty nature so readily offers, and for all the perfectly imperfect, beautiful moments that truly make up a life well-lived.