I walked out of the supermarket and another man was innocently walking near me going on his way. We chatted about walking. I shared with him my love for walking. That opened the doorway to a fascinating conversation. The man about middle age and overweight told me he was walking from Tomball, Texas to Decker Prairie, North on a major highway about five miles from where we were.   

I turned to him and said’ that is wonderful.’ ‘Besides, you look well prepared carrying your half gallon jug of water.’ Keep in mind in the Houston area where we were the sun was shining full and the temperature was around 100 degrees. 

Our conversation continued with him confessing to me about the folks at his church. ‘They think I’m crazy to walk, that I will harm myself.’ Both him and I did not agree. You see folks like him and I become acclimated to the heat. We are OK in the heat as long as we practice easy precautions. 

For instance, if we take breaks in the shade or in air conditioning on a regular basis. If we drink water and watch out for our safety while walking with the flow of traffic around us. He also intimated to me he is releasing weight by walking. All this prompted me to say ‘By all means keep walking and continue with your self-care practices while you do so.’ I encouraged him and he likewise encouraged me to keep on with my love for walking.

As we said our farewells and went our separate ways, I felt elated by meeting a person who follows his own inner drummer. Some people could not walk the distance in the heat as he is able to. Some people build up to it and are fully able to even with the high Texas temperatures. We commended one another for keeping on in what we both knew were good for our particular lifestyles and physical fitness. 

Recall Dr. M. Scott Peck, psychotherapist, who wrote The Road Less Traveled, first published in 1978. Over six million copies sold in North America alone. The book was wildly popular. Since the book was published it has sold over 10 million copies and has reached readers around the globe.

Unique, we are each distinctive creatures. We have different tolerances and likes. The exercise programs I like probably do not work well for my neighbor across the street. Shamelessly, we need to follow what suits us as a person. It is required for our inner peace and well-being.

It was easy for me to encourage the fine gentleman I met at the supermarket parking lot today; easy because I have worked at following my internal guide and my own particular body type and likeability.

You and I are each original human beings. I could be miserable if I copied someone else’s choice of exercise or eating habits. We do need to know our inner drummer and what makes our heart sing and our body fine-tuned. Knowing ourselves is a valuable endeavor and inner call.

In turn, following our guidance and doing those things that nag at us make our eyes sparkle, along with making us interesting to other people. I was drawn to the gentleman today because of his uniqueness and undaunted nature. People want our genuineness. Surely, we appreciate the treasured richness within one another. Our distinctiveness brings happiness to others as well as to ourselves. Follow your inner drum beat—it is the sweetest music, the highest and best sound you will hear.