At least a few times a week, I walk. Sometimes I walk with a friend. Sometimes I walk and listen to music, podcasts, or scriptures. And sometimes I walk mindfully and just notice, enjoy, and feel gratitude. I often think. Sometimes, I take a different route. The views are always beautiful and conducive to contemplation. Years ago, I found out how crucial our thinking can be in the creation of our circumstances. Walking sometimes reveals my thoughts and how they need to change.
When I first started the thought changing experiment, it often felt awkward and uncomfortable; like a brand new shoe that hasn't been broken in (leather). As the experiment continued, it became easier with time and the leather, like changing thought, began shaping to the environment and getting softer. Before I knew it, the new thoughts felt more familiar like my favorite pair of shoes, and SO COMFORTABLE. This process is continual, not perfect but becomes easier with continued practice.
My route that runs along the road is just as beautiful as my walks around the cotton fields, but some days I notice the trash with sadness. I have often caught another resident at the other end of the road, picking up trash. I've been doing the same thing for years, just not while on my walk.
One day a few months back, while I was walking, I had the thought, "I should bring a bag with me and pick up the trash." I didn't mean for it to be an experiment. But I prayed, "Heavenly Father, this road is trashy, and I want to pick it up, but I don't have a trash bag, so I'd love to pick up the trash if you would provide one for me." There was no investment in the outcome. I wanted something. I asked. I figured if He wanted it, I'd get what I wanted. Can you guess? A few hundred yards down the road was a Wal Mart bag clinging to a bush. I made a note of it. Walked to my half way point, turned around, picked up the bag and the trash all the way home. SUCCESS.
Sometimes there is only a piece or two. So, I just pick it up on my way home. Today however, there was A LOT of trash. I've gone through the range of emotions and name calling of those who weren't raised as I was to respect nature. At some point I realized that wasn't doing any good, especially for myself. So, I just decided to keep it up and hope people would see me and maybe it might change them.
As I began seeing SO MUCH trash this morning. I said my same prayer. "I want to pick up this trash, but I need a trash bag." 50 yards later, there it was. Hooray! I untangled it from the claw like mesquite branch, crumpled it up tight and finished to my turn around spot and starting scanning for trash. I was 2/3 home when one of the handles on the bag broke. I was SO DISAPPOINTED.
I had just before been pondering my belief that the Lord always prepares ahead of us to help us when we are in need. I was wondering if He knew the trash would be there, and if He had provided the bag before I even noticed the trash; KNOWING I WOULD ASK HIM. So the handle broke and I thought, "well that's it. The bag is full, I can't fit anymore and now I have to carry it specifically to make sure none of the trash falls out." Unless.
"Unless I find another bag"....It wasn't a prayer this time. I just expected it. Years of learning to change thoughts can sometimes lead to solutions quite quickly. I have gone from fearing, doubting, and worrying, to believing, letting go, and trusting. Not 20 yards away I found another Wal Mart bag. This one was tied shut. I must have walked right past it, but I hadn't seen it on my way out. I untied it and found....wait for it....3 more bags. 
I took half the garbage out of the one and put it in one of the others. I took another one and put the bag with the broken handle in. Then I kept picking up trash, filling both, and having my 2 extras. I really wondered about that. I did not NEED the extra 2 bags, but there they were. And the thought occurred to me that maybe my God just wanted to show me He could provide what I want and THEN SOME. Maybe He wanted me to know that I can ask LARGE and He will provide. And remind me that I can do more. All from a walk, a thought, some trash, and a prayer!
