#1

I sit here on my desk today, inking the experiences of not just my morning walks, but a lifetime of my parent’s life teachings. They constantly reminded me and my elder siblings that all wealth goes waste if one is not fit. The concept of health is a person’s physical, mental, emotional and social well-being combined. Eating a well-balanced diet, staying hydrated, getting atleast eight hours of sleep a day, and being optimistic by eliminating all negativity. I believe that in today's environment, hunger for luxury and a race for wealth accumulation has resulted in a slew of health problems.

When I heard my alarm this morning, my conscience crept back into the warmth of my bed, enticing me to snooze the alarm. In that moment I realized that today was 1st of July my mom’s birthday. "If you want to pay true homage to her, you must remember her teachings and implement them in your everyday life," my dad often emphasized.

Today was an exceptional morning, maybe it was my mom’s aura reassuring her presence. My mom was a woman of morals and virtues. Her words to live by, “when we get up early in the morning and resume any task, not only our two hands work, but eleven hands aid us in the completion of the same and it's done faster than any other time of the day," My lovely mum and dad were both excellent parents who gave us priceless life lessons. My mum was a working woman who could rarely find time for herself. She was, nevertheless, a highly active, punctual, diligent, and disciplined person. I had never seen her skip her morning pranayama before getting dressed for school and taking a long walk to the bus stop. Being strong physically and mentally she could beat all challenges of life with great courage. Similarly, my dad had a vibrant personality. He was a retired army officer who served a life of love and labor. He kept himself busy by working till the end. His knowledge, wisdom, optimism, and pleasant demeanor captured the hearts of everyone he met.

I disregarded my health concerns and suffered the consequences. As I step stones on the way to overcome my problems, I have realized that there is a need to abandon all excuses and begin working in this direction; one can select any activity. Taking care of our health is more important than ever. We must remember that taking care of our body and health does not imply that we are selfish, it is something that we must do. Health issues make regular chores more difficult. Stress may aggravate a wide range of health problems, from minor to life-threatening.

My morning routine begins with a glass of lukewarm water. It jump-starts my body's ability to work efficiently. I get ready and buckle up my shoes after freshening up. On my regular walk I have a sight of a variety of objects which offer me much joy, and some even surprise me. When I exit my society gate, I notice sleep-deprived security guards waiting for their duty to end, followed by three street dogs waiting for me to feed them. It is the most exhilarating and rejuvenating experience. While walking in the morning, I absorb a massive amount of pure air. This air, which is so clean and fresh, is good for our lungs.

As I move further, I hear the music of cuckoos and other birds. Then I notice a few walkers and joggers going by, an auto rickshaw waiting for passengers, a bustling market area owing to the unloading of vegetables for sale, and a few tents on the sidewalk where slum dwellers live. The flowers being unpacked by the florist. There is always a silence on the streets with little traffic, and a milk van unloading.

I sense a different kind of energy induced in my body when I return. I'm excited to start my day since I feel cheerful and rejuvenated. Walking boosts blood circulation, which keeps me lively and aware all day. To recap today's events, I believe that all age groups, including elderly, children, and teenagers, should go for a few kilometers of walking to re-energize their physical and mental power and to lift their spirits by admiring nature's wonders.