White Dog and a Baby

In today’s world one can’t be too careful. Parents must deal with the possibility of a school shooter. Worshipers may wonder if there’s a concealed weapon hidden in a visitor’s garments. Big city dwelling older women nervously keep watch for who might be lurking nearby. No matter where a person lives, it’s a good idea to lock your doors at night. And so, when I take the short access cut through a briefly wooded area to a local park, I’m aways on the alert and don’t walk there at dusk.

Today, as I approached the park access on my morning walk, I was followed shortly by a couple with a baby in a stroller and a large, white dog. I felt my body noticeably relax, just knowing I was safe. The incongruity of the situation hit me immediately. Walking in woods is supposed to reduce blood pressure and strengthens our immune system; fear increases one’s heart rate, thereby weakening our ability to fight infections and other diseases. It took a white dog and a baby to allow me to enjoy the benefits of walking among trees.

Fear causes anxiety. Even low-grade anxiety with its constant sense of unease or dread can make daily life feel challenging. An upcoming presidential election has many Americans grabbed by the throat, adding to an already overloaded agenda of worries about finances, housing, childcare. As I review a lifestyle checklist for managing anxiety, I smile:

·      Eat a well-balanced diet. Check!

·      Avoid too much sugar. Check!

·      Limit alcohol intake. Check!

·      Exercise regularly. Check!

·      Consistently get a good night’s sleep. Check!

Happily, my reality supports anxiety management. Adding in good friendships and consistent, loving contact with family members, I’m mostly anxiety free. Of course, there are moments when I find myself in the clutch of apprehension or angst. Or am triggered by a possibly unsafe situation, such as walking alone along a wooded path. When tripped by fear/anxiety, I make a conscious effort to stop, assess, and breathe more deeply. When feasible, I make pre-choices to ensure my well-being. (I avoid going out to my darkened garbage can after 9:00pm.)

Sometimes, I’m blessed by an unexpected appearance of unlikely guardian angels such as a white dog and a baby!