" I walk into the sky of evening stars; a warm wind blows from the sea. I stop and taste the air and watch the swaying trees, listening to the surf roaring from below. The air is sweet, a hint of summer mixed with guano and rotting seaweed. The trees dance, eucalyptus with slender limbs waving madly, cypress slowly bending; water tears apart rock and earth piece by piece. The scene is a feast and I savor each juicy moment ..." John Francis, Planetwalker
Walking has a way of slowing down the way life moves. Instead of the blur that occurs when passing in a vehicle, surroundings come into focus and clearly seen is that little bud just forming on the bush or the blade of grass poking through the crack in the sidewalk. "Shhh...Listen... hear that sweet little bird making its presence heard." Or "Oh, my gosh, I've walked past this house, how many times? and never before noticed how tenderly it's cared for." Beauty. Life. Presence.
About Joy... Who is she and where did she come from? WomenWalking is a Creation. It came together as a result of a series of unrelated (or are they?) experiences occurring over one woman's life (her photo can be found on the Editorial page). As a mediator - it became clear that when people talk and listen to each other, common ground and understanding can take place, even when we do not agree. As a woman and single parent - being busy working and raising my kids while simultaneously lacking peer companionship; feeling outside my local community felt real and isolating. When the idea for this site came to me, I was lonely. I was busy but wanted peer companionship - female peer companionship. There is something about talking with women that is comforting to me. Even when meeting a woman that is not exactly "my cup of tea", I feel a resonance; a familiararity; common ground. My kids and I had recently moved to a new community and it seemed like everywhere I looked, women were walking and talking together in such amiable companionship. "I want that," is what I thought to myself. I love to walk; I consider it a privilege. Walking by myself is great. I tune in to my surroundings and often experience grace - like meeting with the dog that morning last summer - so sweet and touching. But often wish I could just walk out my door to meet someone for a walk. I even feel braver when I have a companion. Having someone to talk to while walking is great. A feeling of accomplishment that I did something good for myself while making a connection with another woman. Women creating community and walking together is the intention of this site. Understanding all we share in common. Simple, yet everything. Women live according to the process rather than product, so here we are...let's keep company and embrace our gathering. Walk, Talk, Consider.
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