Day 5: One foot in front of the other

Walking is the one form of exercise I've managed to stick with for any length of time. It has a lot to do with the effect walking has on my state of mind.

When I need to clear my head, I like to walk. When I'm stressed out, I like to walk. When the beauty of an autumn afternoon draws me outside, I like to walk -- and drink in the colors before they fade.

I've tried keeping track of the minutes and miles I walk, but I can't seem to stick to a strict schedule, not when there's a toddler in the house. So walking has become something of a luxury for me.

My mother, who turned 97 a few months ago, can't walk more than a few steps because of the arthritis in her knees and hips. I think of her every time I feel a twinge of pain in my own knees. She often says she'd give anything to go for a walk, something she used to do quite often. It reminds me never to take my health for granted.

I hope to spend more of the year ahead putting one foot in front of the other, letting my legs, aches and all, take me to that place where my breathing is steady, my head is clear and life seems full of possibilities.