Although it is good to allow ourselves days of rest, there are days when we have to force ourselves to stay alive, active, and happy. I remember that this day could have been just another ordinary one—one of those days that, if nothing spontaneous unfolds, might end up feeling like a wasted day by late afternoon—and I’m not speaking strictly about myself. The only way to set aside the comfort and stagnation of staying indoors was to go out for a walk; however, in this instance, it had to be a new and lush location—somewhere my companion could connect with nature and the tranquility that comes from walking beneath the shade of the trees.
I managed to pull it off; we headed to the most remote spot that came to mind—a place unknown to us both, yet one I felt would prove to be a delightful surprise once we arrived. And so it was: we made our way to Los Chorros Park, and the place was every bit as lush with vegetation as I had hoped. Green shrubs, the rushing of streams, and the sound of birdsong reigned supreme here. The entire park can be explored via the path running alongside the water, and there are benches available for resting. In fact, if you’d like to learn more about this park in Caracas, you can read this post on Worldmappin.
That weekend, we were dealing with a lot of stress—my wife even more so than me. However, whenever someone I love isn't doing well, I tend to get a little distressed myself. But since we’re all about finding solutions, I simply went to our bedroom to wake her up, brought her breakfast, and asked her to get ready; I told her that this wasn't going to be a day for staying cooped up at home, nor for dwelling on thoughts that didn't contribute to our peace of mind. The hike turned out to be truly special. This place possesses a unique power to make us forget whatever happens to be consuming our thoughts—and not merely because it was a new spot we were exploring, but rather because of the positive energy that permeates the atmosphere there. In fact, even the other people around us seemed incredibly happy and deeply connected with nature.
That was a day when I photographed absolutely everything—everything, and I mean everything. The place had me completely captivated—perhaps it was simply the thrill of visiting for the very first time. My wife and I walked hand in hand, chatting about topics far removed from our everyday troubles, or simply walking in silence while taking in every single detail of that magnificent park. We tried to sit by the edge of a stream to dip our feet in and feel the water, but all the best spots were taken 😅—so I’ll save that for another time. It’s highly likely that I’ll be back here soon—and, in fact, that I’ll bring someone else along who is in need of a trip just like this: a quiet stroll beneath the shade of the trees... My mom...
I can say with certainty that, once again, a walk has saved a life. Since I discovered this practice, everything has improved, and I have often wondered why I didn't start doing it sooner. We cannot live immersed in negative thoughts; when we feel overwhelmed, the best thing to do is go out for a stroll—and if you have green spaces nearby, all the better. Walk; let yourself be captivated by the small details—the clouds, the flowers, the insects flitting around them, and even the sounds that surround us. I used to be one of the most stressed and high-strung people I have ever known, but I committed myself to this practice, and going out for walks has changed so many things—especially the habit of taking photographs along the way. I hope that everyone finds that mental peace which elevates our love for life 🙏
