“The feel and the sound of the heart beat is one of the most powerful indicators and symbols of life that we know.”

We might say that today’s reflections go straight to the heart of wellness, as the Rev. Renée Miller and the Rev. Dr. Jacqueline explore some key aspects of this vital organ for our body and soul.

So lace up your shoes and start walking!

“One rite of passage for medical students all over the globe is anatomy lab. Seeing the dead body was stressful enough, but then we had to carefully dissect or cut it as we learned about skin, muscle, nerves, vessels and organs. Sometimes the strangeness of the task made it hard to carry on, but at other times, awe and wonder took over.”

Today’s Walk and Be Well reflections ask us to take a step back (metaphorically speaking) to think about our body’s individual parts and pieces. Listen as the Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Cameron and the Rev. Renée Miller talk about the tangible and not-so-tangible aspects of who we are.

So lace up your shoes and start walking!

“I think about this man who has never walked who is suddenly thrilled by his own ability to move, and I think about my dog Odie, who has always known how to move and yet still thrills and revels in his own movement. I wonder, what would it mean to really revel in my body today?”

Today, the Rev. Renée Miller and Elizabeth McKay Moosbrugger focus our attention on the wondrous aspects of body and soul. We are invited to revel in our body, and to give thanks for the gift of our spirit and soul.

So lace up your shoes and start walking!

“Walking, as with all exercise, can have a dramatic effect upon sugar metabolism. This means that the onset of diabetes can be significantly delayed in many people. For those who have diabetes, blood sugar is more easily controlled if they exercise regularly.”

Sugar, glucose, insulin. Today, the Rev. Dr. William Watson III explains how our muscles use these key players to function effectively. Then, the Rev. Renée Miller discusses how our souls, like our muscles, find energy to stay healthy and vital.

So lace up your shoes and start walking!

“It is precisely this heady mix of pain and pleasure, ugliness and allure, remarkable mechanics and day-to-day practicality that makes feet a worthy focus of reflection and gratitude as we walk together this month.”

Your feet — the Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Cameron and the Rev. Renée Miller contend that they deserve our attention for a host of reasons: anatomical, cultural, biblical and spiritual.

So lace up your shoes and start walking!

“Walking is a part of God’s design. It is a natural action, perhaps next to breathing, our most natural. Walking opens the world to us and is central to who we are.”

Today, the Rev. Renée Miller is joined by the Rev. Dr. William Watson III to talk about balance, both physical and spiritual, and the necessity of cultivating core strength to maintain our balance.

So lace up your shoes and start walking!

“Sometimes we need to change from the outside in. Sometimes, our inner voice will be whining, ‘I don’t want to go outside’ or ‘I don’t feel like moving.’ At these times, we need to just get out there and let the body’s movements transform the mind. Or at least try to!”

Motivation — without it, our best-laid plans just lie there. Today, the Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Cameron offers thoughts on what can help us get up and out the door for a walk each day. And the Rev. Renée Miller considers some of the challenges to staying spiritually active and suggests some tips for keeping our souls fit.

So lace up your shoes and start walking!

"Knowing our physical limits is important. It keeps us safe and injury-free. And sometimes those limits keep us so safe that we don't question the way things are."

Today, Renée Miller and Elizabeth McKay Moosbrugger talk about limits. Without them, we may do things that could be harmful to body and soul. But we also want to watch for limits that could become barriers to personal growth.

So lace up your shoes and start walking!

"Whether you’re a seasoned walker or you're just taking the first steps toward a newly active life, we hope that the days and weeks ahead will re-energize your body, mind, and spirit."

Today, the Rev. Renée Miller and the Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Cameron lift up and focus in on some of the amazing, indeed fairly miraculous aspects of our awe-inspiring, complex, complicated and blessed bodies.

So lace up your shoes and start walking!

"Proper preparation, equipment, and awareness of your personal health situation and walking environment are key to having a safe and beneficial walking experience."

Before you begin, take a few important steps to prepare. In her article “Be Safe Out There,” priest, physician and Walk and Be Well contributor the Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Cameron, outlines key precautions to help keep you safe, comfortable, and walking!

Listen now to Jackie’s suggestions as well as helpful tips on how to use the daily recordings, and a quick introduction to your Walk and Be Well audio companions.