Over recent days – I have started to attempt to get back into my early morning walks.

I have missed walking so much – with the osteoarthritis in my knee and foot getting worse – and so it was with great determination that I set off -and I am pleased to say – I have managed to do the full walk over the last few days – albeit with a little difficulty – and pain.

As I walked today though – I realised that I was trying to walk at my usual pace – and had to tell myself – to slow down – to alter the pace of my walking – and maybe even to think about tackling a shorter walk – to more suit the situation I find myself in.

This quote encouraged me – “It’s okay to slow down – but don’t stop – remember – it’s always one step at a time” – wise words I think.

Of course – this doesn’t just apply to my walking – but – many times in my life – I have found that I have had to adjust my pace – slow down – and take one day at a time too.

Or – I could put it another way – I have had to learn – to ‘ride the waves’ – as someone so beautifully put it here – “When tough times come your way – you really only have two options – you can either fight the waves – or you can ride them. You can spend all your energy – wishing things were different – and wishing the situation and people would change – You can spend your precious time fighting against reality and all that is – or you can let go and ride the waves. You can soften. You can accept that life brings waves – and some waves will undoubtably be wonderful – but others will be incredibly tough”.

‘Learning to ride the waves’ – is more about adjusting to the situation – rather than attempting to – ‘swim against the tide’.

I have found myself – from time to time – amidst those waves – hit by the unexpected events that life often throws at you – situations that I couldn’t change – that I simply had no control over.

But there was always something that I could do – whatever the situation I found myself in.

And I love how this quote puts it – “When you can’t change the direction of the wind – adjust your sail”.

It really is about making that choice – and realising that – adjusting my sails – or changing my pace – does not mean – that I have to ‘stop’.

My progress may be slower – and life may take a different direction – as circumstances veer out of my control – but – my life does go on – and my choice is either to fight it – or – to change my pace – reset those sails – and – ‘ride those waves’.

Blessings – Lois