The Triad of Love
Estimated reading time: 13 minutes, 6 seconds
Embracing the Future,
One Step at a Time!
Walking has always been more than just a means of transportation; it represents a deeply personal journey. Yesterday, May 5, 2025, marked a significant milestone: I celebrated 1,461 consecutive days of walking! Reaching this four-year mark has been nothing short of transformative. It all began the day after my wife’s funeral. What started as a simple decision has blossomed into a conscious journey of daily resilience.
The morning after the funeral, I felt like a lost puppy, unsure of how or if I could continue living. I have lost weight, meditated, and made new friends with each step. However, this commitment to walking wasn’t just about weight loss, letting my mind wander, or meeting people. Despite many challenges, it was about finding the strength to live after loss. Walking became my healing journey, leading me to hope and reassurance.
In the first few weeks, my motivation became clear when I realized that Adonai had blessed us with three incredible gifts: ears to listen with, arms to embrace, and feet to walk into the future. These gifts, especially the ability to walk, have taken on profound significance in my life. I have learned to listen before speaking—not just to others but also to my thoughts and feelings—and to pay attention to the world around me. This practice of active listening has allowed me to be more receptive to new ideas and ways of living. I have become more open and sincere in embracing others. With my feet, I have discovered a future I never imagined, filled with new friendships, a healthier body, and a more mindful and purposeful life.
In “The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Heal Our Hearts and Mend Our Broken World,” Rabbi Sharon Brous writes, “Knowing that we’re not alone can both heighten our joy and help us endure unimaginable hardship.”
By reading her book and walking daily, I have learned to grieve and live, accepting that life encompasses both joy and sadness. Now, I live a life filled with meaning and purpose, allowing me to engage fully with life. Today, at the beginning of my fifth year, I walked.
As I took those first steps, I felt a surge of optimism and hope for the future. Will I still be walking in a week, a month, or a year? I plan to continue walking, confident that I can face whatever challenges lie ahead, now standing on a solid foundation.
After almost 48 years, I recently lost my wife, Jan Lilien. Like The Little Prince, Jan and I believed that “The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.” This blog is a collection of my random thoughts on love, grief, life, and all things considered.
