This past weekend I’ve come to realize a lot of things after my grandfather passed away from a heart attack. He was a man who was constantly observing the world around him, especially on his walks.

My grandpa took a walk twice a day, and it didn’t matter if it was raining, snowing, a hundred degrees or below zero. He simply would just walk. I always pondered his reasoning. So after taking a walk around his neighborhood on Sunday, I started to realize what a walk can do.

A walk is such an excellent activity for the mind, body and soul. It gives a person the chance to think clearly. No one can bother you on a long walk, except for the occasional dog barking at you. On the walk that my grandfather so often took, neighbors would say hello and children would sometimes dart in front of him with their bikes. Sometimes he would walk to the grocery store or sometimes he would just walk without a purpose. On this particular gray day, I had a wonderful time on my walk. There are still a few leaves on the trees and the colors shined brilliantly against the background of this gray, cold day.

His favorite spot was the beach on our vacations to Florida. He would never tire of walking the ocean shore for hours.

Taking a walk is the perfect thing for a college student to do. Walking with a friend and having a talk can be a great way to express your feelings. If you walk alone, you can clear you mind. It makes you realize there is time to see the world around us, and time to stop and observe. There is time to care about what really matters. It doesn’t matter how long your walk is, it can range from five minutes to an hour, or longer. Whatever it takes I have some useful tips to follow that I learned from my grandfather when heading out for a walk:

Wear reflective strips and fabrics, light colors and colors that stand out. You should wear these clothes an hour before sunset until an hour after sunrise. Make sure you are covered from head to toe. A bright orange hat always does the trick.

Protective gym shoes are a must. Without these, you will stop in your own tracks. If you are walking at night, reflective strips can be put on your shoes.

Wearing layers in all seasons is a good way to make sure you are comfortable. If you get too hot, you can simply take off a layer and tie it around your waist.

It is also important to carry a light with you. If you are alone and walking at night, make sure you tell someone where you are going. If you have pepper spray or a sharp object such as your keys, be sure to have these with you.

Raymond Immon has a quote that inspired me which was printed in The Daily Eastern News yesterday. It said, “If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking. Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk.”

Above all, just walk! Walk to the store, walk to work, walk to class, walk to visit with your friends. It is so simple and will clear your mind and keep you healthy.

Julie Ferguson is a senior journalism major and a monthly columnist for The Daily Eastern News. Her e-mail address is [email protected]. Columns are the opinion of the author.