…which is what I was doing while walking this morning. My feet trod familiar paths but my thoughts were on another trail altogether.
They often wander off track, down shady lanes and contemplative pathways to unexpected destinations. It’s where I do my most interesting thinking. And, gentle reader, apparently where I ‘pocket post’ in mental absentia.
A blogging friend had me pondering on the power of walking; how it evokes reflection and creativity. You might like to visit Rachel’s thought provoking blog Write into Life.
All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking.
I try to walk most mornings, for the exercise and the positive effect it has on my mood, but also for ideas for my garden and blog. And the ideas are out there in blooming abundance if you look through the right eyes. Not that the area I live in is particularly well landscaped. Some of the ‘gardens’ are downright scruffy and underwhelming. On the other hand, others are testament to their caretakers’ ingenuity and passion.
Gardening by the sea can be challenging, especially when the salty wind is a factor. While my courtyard is protected, the walking trails I take meander along the exposed river reaches or beachfront. Parkland plantings have been thoughtful though, with lots of natives well suited to the sometimes harsh environment.
I have to make a concerted effort to walk mindfully, noticing the novel detail of my surroundings, not retreating totally into my thoughts. But thought associations masked as metaphors often waylay me on the path and I need to duck behind a tree sometimes and wait until they pass. Whew!
Don’t misunderstand me. I’m open to all comers but I prefer to savour them less as a barrage and more so just one at a time.
Have you noticed that the most appealing paths are the winding ones that meander hither and yon, concealing beguiling possibilities that might lay just around the next bend, inviting exploration? I’m talking about creative thinking now. Some call it ‘free-thinking’ but all my thinking is free. I’m a brazen hussy when it comes to sharing my thoughts. One never knows when an idea may jump out of nowhere and ambush me on a thought trail. Sometimes they are hostile or oblique, the ‘stick em up’ type, and I must wrestle them into submission to give up their goods. They should be afraid, I’ve done karate you know.
Most times they prod me politely until inspiration rises and my day blossoms.
Our life is what our thoughts make it.
Lovely, meandering post. You are so fortunate to live close to the sea! I heart Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations….
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Thanks Timi. It’s easy to take our surroundings for granted unless we are truly mindful. I love the mountains too and have lived in wonder there as well. Nothing beats walking in nature.
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I love how your mind meanders.
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Thanks Jude. I’m sure I’m not the only one. As children we made daydreaming and imagining an art form. I would hate to lose that.
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I wonder about that now with children having tablets and phones so early – so much is visual. Do they even know HOW to imagine? One reason I love reading is that I imagine the characters, the locations, the smells. In a film you have all that taken away from you.
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My grandies are very imaginative despite the technology and sometimes because of it. They write scripts for movies, perform and film them. Stories can be enjoyed in all manner of ways now. Sometimes when we have a sleep over, they will ask me to tell them a story with them playing the main characters. I love those times especially because we go on all sorts of adventures together in our imaginations.
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It sounds as if imagination is alive and well in your family 🙂
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I agree about meandering paths. Conversely, a straight one with no surprises can be a little dull.
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Yes. I love surprises Bun.
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What a lovely place to walk and to think!
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Thank you!
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I often see exhortations not to let our minds wander. “Stay present!” we are scolded. But I realize, I quite like to let my mind wander. That is precisely when creative solutions pop up, insights appear, or wonderful memories surface.
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You’re right Melissa. It’s a part of the creative process I think.
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I love the idea of hiding behind a tree to avoid the masked metaphors!
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They can come at you like bandits sometimes, Judith.
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That first photo is divine Robyn. I got a chuckle out of “a brazen hussy” lol. It’s been so long since I’ve heard this phrase.
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It’s a good one isn’t it? Fits me to a T. I live in such a picturesque area Steph. I never get tired of it. Thanks for visiting.
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Well it’s absolutely beautiful. Can you hear the waves from place? I’ve only been to the ocean once and there aren’t enough words to express how I felt when I first saw it. It was almost too much to take in and I actually got a little emotional because I could not believe I was there and able to bask in it’s beauty.
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I can’t hear the ocean from my present place unless it’s raging. But I walk along the beach most days. Where do you live Steph? I was moved when you said how emotional the sea made you feel. There’s definitely that kind of affinity for me too.
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I live in the Pittsburgh area. Prior to going to Ocean City about 10 years ago, the largest body of water I’ve seen are a few of the Great Lakes. On my way back from London a number of years back I thought I saw the ocean when my seatmate arranged for a visit to the cockpit but I wasn’t sure because it was sort of gray out. But seeing the ocean up close and personal is a moment I hope to remember for the rest of my life.
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Gosh Steph, I suppose people can go their whole lives without seeing the ocean.How lucky we are that we have had the experience.
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Without a doubt we are very fortunate.
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Karate hey? watch out wayward thoughts! 😀
Wishing you many inspirations of the polite kind. Lovely post Robyn.
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Thanks Gail. The less polite ones just take more energy but often offer the most.As for the karate, well …
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😀👌
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