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The difficulty or ease in getting from Here to There is dependent upon two things: where precisely Here and There are and how exactly you get to There. Of course, there are a myriad of other factors which can affect the ease in which you get to where you want to go!
Because I have a driver’s license, a car and the ability to pay, if I want to go buy groceries in the rural town I call home, I can easily get into my car, drive 10 minutes and shop for a cart load of groceries. However, I am currently living in the middle of a busy city and only have a subway pass and my own two feet to get me to where I need and want to go.
The closest grocery store to me is approximately 10 minutes away … by foot. Luckily, the grocery store also happens to be right next to the exact stop from the subway that I use, which makes going there on my way home, quite convenient. Because I have to carry back to my apartment whatever I buy, I shop more frequently and in smaller quantities. I have also noticed that I am no longer an impulse shopper; throwing stuff into my cart simply because I think I might need it or just want it. I buy what I need only when I need it.
Prior to my move to the city, walking, for me, was a form of exercise rather than a means of transport. In my rural area, things are too far apart and parking is easy, so I drive everywhere. I even drive to my mailbox, or at least by it, usually on my way home from work, stopping only when I am directly in front of it and can retrieve its contents by rolling down my window. There have even been a few times when I have driven too close to my mailbox and sort-of scraped my side mirror, but this hasn’t prevented me from continuing to drive to(by) the mailbox. After all, if I walked and it was a cold and rainy day, I would have to put on boots, a warm coat, grab an umbrella and then walk the two minutes it would take to get me there and back…
But now, I have gotten used to walking everywhere and smart about taking with me only that which I need during my trip. I use a rolling cart for transporting heavy items and I have consolidated my outerwear to include only items I can wear and then stuff back into a pocket, which does not apply to my jacket which is warm, waterproof, has a hood and the prerequisite deep pockets. I also use a backpack so that my hands remain free for opening doors or pressing buttons on a phone.
Walking, as a means of transportation, requires a bit of effort and, although I don’t particularly enjoy walking around everywhere when it is cold and raining, I am taking great pride in the fact that I am able to get from Here to There, simply by using my feet.
Walking has made me realize that I need less. In a world of growing consumers wanting more and more, it is a refreshing and welcome change. Walking more has also improved my physical well-being and I think I have actually lost a few pounds— or maybe that’s just because buying potato chips takes up too much room in my carry bag!?
TRUDGE! TRUDGE!
Kathy Naumann, possessor of NATURALLY curly hair and the understanding that you can’t control everything!
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