A hike through the woods is exactly what I needed yesterday. It wasn’t a long hike, maybe about a mile, but for just a moment, I felt the quiet, which was something I needed.
One thing my wife and I have been trying to be proactive and more intentional about is how much time the boys spend on their tablets. We’ve practically cut them back to one hour a day. I’ll be honest; it’s not quite that easy. When I think about my screen time, I see the same addiction. One thing I’m going to try (I stress try because life has a way of interrupting things) is to get the kids outdoors this year—fishing, hiking, and maybe even camping.
It’s tough for me to slow down. But after spending a year battling anxiety, I’ve learned that stress can affect me in more negative ways than I once expected.
Yesterday we hit the trail near Lake Arcadia in Edmond, Oklahoma. It’s not a long trail, maybe about a mile, but it cuts through the woods and along some rocky ledges. We thought we were in trouble the entire hike. There was a barricade up and a sign that said CLOSED. But we proceeded anyway.
What can I say? I’m raising rebellious kids. In all fairness, a worker was standing next to the truck who waved his hand as if it was okay. But I don’t think he spoke English and probably didn’t know what I asked. And if he did, I probably misunderstood. So maybe we are a little rebellious.
I don’t make whole New Year’s resolutions or goals, but if I did, this is one of them. Get outside and off the screens more. Go on a hike through the woods.
What about you? Are you making plans to get outside more and off the screens?