I'm having an affair.

I’m having a love affair. I’ve tried to deny it, to hide it, to pretend that it’s not becoming an obsession and that I could stop, if I wanted to, but it’s time to get real.

I’m having a love affair. With Walking. I’m cheating on writing and on lunch breaks and even on my beloved gym, just so I can spend time with Walking. I’m finding time to sneak away with Walking, time where I thought there was none before. One of my trysts with Walking nearly even made me late for work, and I don’t think Walking is a good enough excuse for tardiness. Worse still, I’m not even sorry that Walking is beginning to take over the small corners of my life.

Okay, I’m being ridiculous. Or am I? For those who have had the pleasure (and sheer terror) of a love affair, or the head-over-heels love-at-first-sight relationship like I found with Paul, you know that when that person comes in to your life, you not only find time to see them, you MAKE time. Things get pushed to the side or sacrificed or dropped all together. There may be late nights or feverish lunch breaks where you race against time. You make excuses. I’m doing this with walking, and it feels glorious!

The idea of having a love affair with something, not someone, isn’t new, and I’m not talking about an addiction here. I read about it in Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. She urges her readers to have love affairs with their art, their passions, or their creative outlets. I’m paraphrasing here, but I’m pretty sure she told me, through her book, to hide in an alleyway and write as much as I could before someone caught me. There is excitement there, and pure, (un)adulterated joy. And maybe even a sense of release in spite of it all. Because this is what creating and expression and passion is all about, isn’t it?

So of course, Writing is my passion. Except she is a very high maintenance lover. She’s so fickle and temperamental; much like me really, ha ha! And so I book time for Writing. I invite inspiration in to get Writing in the mood, and we always have a lovely time together.

Walking, though, Walking is a keen bean and on speed dial! Walking whispers in my ear, ‘You’ve got ten minutes until your next meeting, let’s get busy and wander around the block.’ Walking quotes The Beatles lyrics to me, things like ‘Why don’t we do it in the road?’ and ‘Won’t you come out to play?’ Walking doesn’t care how much time we spend together or how much attention I pay to it, Walking just wants to get a fix. AND! Where Writing is a pure monogamist, Walking is up for a threesome! Luckily Paul’s into that, too, so I get to share this love affair with my real life one true love!

Are you having a love affair with a thing? With running or painting or scrapbooking or singing or something as equally awesome? Do it! It’s hilarious as well as an awesome motivation. Tell people you’re busy, you’re meeting your lover. And then enjoy every minute of you precious time together.