Walking can ease stress, tension, and anxiety. I often find that walking is the best way to relieve heavy conflict and negative emotions. Taking a walk refreshes the self.
Nowadays, so many paths have been created around the country. After the creation of the Olle trails on Jeju Island, people can enjoy the 300-kilometer Dule Trail at Mt. Jiri and there is a 44-kilometer trail at Mt. Bukhan in Seoul.
As Thomas Jefferson said, many people believe that walking is the best exercise. It is truly an effective medicine for physical, mental, and spiritual health. It is good to see that more and more people are choosing to walk and climb mountains when they have time.
I enjoy climbing mountains as much as I can.
Several weeks ago, I joined the Pauline Sisters for a long walk at Mt. Gyejok in Daejeon. The mud yellow road was hardened for 14 kilometers by Seonyang, one of the business groups in Korea.
It takes about four hours to hike around the whole course. Mud-yellow earth covers half of the road along the forest. On the way to the top, various art installations with explanations are on display. Many people walk barefoot in order to feel the earth on their feet. Walking barefoot supposedly stimulates health.
The mountain is named Gyejok because it spreads out like the foot of a hen. About 20 entrances to the mountain are available to the public so that the whole area is utilized as a park.
Walking barefoot is effective for the circulation of blood, the improvement of memory, and stimulation of the digestion. Exercise not only helps with headaches, insomnia, and fatigue but can prevent diabetes and dementia.
While walking, I appreciate the beauty of dedicating one's life to noble causes. Those who have consecrated their lives to one field for the goodness of the community and society to look beautiful. It is encouraging to learn from people who have overcome unexpected obstacles. No matter how challenging and difficult the situation is, they walk faithfully and constantly without giving up.
One shining example is the sculptor Choi Jong-tae who studied, read, and wrote broadly to be an artist with the help of senior masters. Choi has always enjoyed drawing and carving. Now his sculptures are well-known for simple, prayerful, and orderly lines.
Facing the age of 80, he has recently published a collection of essays entitled “Living and Drawing.” The emeritus professor of Seoul National University is a member of the Catholic Arts Association. At home, he never lays down the brush. He is always ready either to draw a picture in his living room or to carve wood and other materials in his basement.
Furthermore, it is beautiful to see his wife greeting guests and driving her husband as a considerate and thoughtful collaborator and soul mate. She is an attentive and faithful partner.
Having such a friend in a wife at the end of life is truly a happy, joyful, and grateful blessing. Dedicating one's life to one field makes it enjoyable, fruitful, and meaningful. Such a person knows how to pursue the common good of humanity.
“Does every bag make me happy?” and “What should we put in our bag of life?” are two questions Richard J. Leider and David A. Shapiro raised in the book entitled “Things You Realize When You Are Halfway Through In Your Life”.
Walking along the precious journey of life, we cannot but throw away something less important so as to choose the most necessary thing. Walking constantly, we shall have to ask ourselves, “Does it lead me to true happiness and freedom?”
The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/ Sept. 21, 2011
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