Reflections on My Morning Walk: Meeting My Higher Self

I started taking morning walks recently in order to help regulate my nervous system.

A number of medical, neurological and emotional factors contribute to my life long state of being on high alert.

Unfortunately, I spent most of my life not knowing that everyone didn't live this way, and that there were things I can do to help soothe my nerves.

As we know, exercise and being in nature have been shown to help ease anxiety and boost mood.

Of course, just because we know better doesn't mean that we always do better.

Today I woke up sad, anxious and lethargic.

I didn't even want to get out of bed, let alone take a walk.

I crawled under the covers and tried to go back to sleep.

All the while there was an inner struggle going on between my higher self and my ego self. My higher self encouraging my ego to "do the right thing," my ego whining like a spoiled child.

Today my higher self won the argument.

If I said that was always the case, I'd be a liar.

But today, at least, I listened to my true inner voice, the one who only wants the best for me and loves me unconditionally.

The voice I have pushed down, disregarded or spit in the face of, for so long.

On my walk, I felt the breeze, cleaned some litter off the beach, smiled at a human or two, took some photos, and saved a baby bird from the clutches of a cute, but ill-intentioned stray cat.

And you know what? I'm really glad I did.

For today at least - higher self for the win!

The one true thing we all crave, is for someone who knows us inside and out, who loves us unconditionally, flaws and all.

We long for someone to be our confidant and safe place to fall, our cheerleader and hype guy, and who always has our best interest at heart.

What if that person, was with us all along?

What if we are the person we truly want and need, but have just been too distracted to listen?

What if we have ignored our own true voice, in order to listen to the voice of our fears, the wants of others and the expectations of society?

My higher self did not steer me wrong this morning.

I'm hoping to get to know her better and trust her more