Americans find it difficult to engage in any activity for pure pleasure. We have to have a higher aim-a purpose-for every moment of time. For example, children take classes or join clubs to increase their self-esteem, build talent, or try out a potential career. Adults attend parties to make business contacts, garden to rise vegetables, and mow the lawn to meet neighborhood standards.(1)____ I'm here to tell you about one of my guilt pleasures.(2)____ It doesn't cost a thing, takes a little time, and brings me lots of personal fulfillment. Best of all, you can indulge in it for sheer enjoyment.(3____
It is walking. There is something about walking that is different from jogging. When I'm jogging, I'm instantly challenging myself to go farther or faster, sweat more, and breath harder.(5)____ And when I'm walking, I'm taking time to go outside and put one foot in front of another while I look around, blink, and feel the sun and the wind.(6)____ When I walk, I am submerged myself in life.(8)____ On
walks, I confront myself, too. There's avoiding my recent irrational response to the neighbor with straying trash or the petty argument I started with my husband. While I walk, I put into perspective that is important to me.(9)____
Artist Winslow Homer said, "The sun will not rise, or set, without my notice and my thanks." Where else can you notice the sun's movements besides on a walk-an opportunity to appreciate joy in the world for its very existence?(10)____