What a lovely essay to start my morning, thank you!
And you're so right, people are so "amped up" nowadays. I walked out of a lunch the other day because of one person shouting at us all about his political viewpoint, and this was about Mexican politics, not US. But walking every day, being at one with nature all the time, listening to birdsong, all of that instantly makes me feel better. Thank goodness.
Thank you, Rosalind! Good for you for walking away to tend your own energy. It is quite literally the one thing we can control—our own wellbeing, responses, choices. To your daily walks! 🩵
I think, if people prioritised walking and being outside a bit more over social media and Netflix, I think the world would be a different place. There's so many benefits that come from just that small act. In fact, you're making me want to go for a walk too!
I hope you're out there right now! I just returned from a walk through a small patch of woods in one of the relatively urbanized coastal communities north of Boston. It's a far cry from the wild open spaces of the western US where I spend most of my time and still it's a deep exhale. Enjoy!
Loved this Wendy! Although I live a more conventional life, my favorite time of my day is my first sip of coffee and I rarely don't smell a flower on my daily walks. I continue to work hard on finding a realistic balance that makes me happy. Thanks for this important reminder. See you soon!!!!
Thank you, Kris! You are an inspiration—more dedicated to getting out (and at the crack of dawn) than most. You’ll find your balance. And, yes, don’t forget to smell the flowers. 🩷
A single step, a quiet moment, a curious gaze... I agree Wendy we need to calm our nervous systems instead of reacting from wounds, trauma and conditioning. I treasure my times in nature. Even if they are in my neighborhood. I just got back from a 45-minute walk, sun on my face, the wind on my skin, the trees in bloom and the crows are playing. Nervous regulation is the new revolution! I'm all in. 💜
Thanks for this wonderful article, Wendy. For me, little walks turned into deeper connection with nature and life-altering wandering. I'm so glad I took my first steps.
Thank you, Dru! It's so interesting to look back at the first steps you've taken--on any life journey. Sometimes we recall them, other times not. Some are deliberate decisions, others taken on a whim. All are meaningful starts to something new.
I love Geoff Nicholson's insight in The Lost Art of Walking that we are already in motion before we realise we are on a journey. Whether they're deliberate or accidental, first steps are crucial.
I’m so glad you listenef to the wild, unbridled intuition inside and didn’t follow that path, instead of carving one out that matched your soul. I think you’re right about the Administration embodying our collective unconscious. Perhaps we needed to see it and all its ugliness in order to begin to do the difficult work of healing.
Thank you, Linnea! The calls were so loud—and so visceral—I couldn’t turn away. Even during more difficult times, I’ve always held a very deep knowing that I was being true to myself. It is a powerful feeling.
I agree—awareness of where we are is a necessary first step in healing the collective. Whether and how that will happen is another matter entirely. Thanks for sharing! 🩵
What a lovely essay to start my morning, thank you!
And you're so right, people are so "amped up" nowadays. I walked out of a lunch the other day because of one person shouting at us all about his political viewpoint, and this was about Mexican politics, not US. But walking every day, being at one with nature all the time, listening to birdsong, all of that instantly makes me feel better. Thank goodness.
Thank you, Rosalind! Good for you for walking away to tend your own energy. It is quite literally the one thing we can control—our own wellbeing, responses, choices. To your daily walks! 🩵
I think, if people prioritised walking and being outside a bit more over social media and Netflix, I think the world would be a different place. There's so many benefits that come from just that small act. In fact, you're making me want to go for a walk too!
I hope you're out there right now! I just returned from a walk through a small patch of woods in one of the relatively urbanized coastal communities north of Boston. It's a far cry from the wild open spaces of the western US where I spend most of my time and still it's a deep exhale. Enjoy!
Yes I did go for a walk, a short one but it's always worth it 😊
Loved this Wendy! Although I live a more conventional life, my favorite time of my day is my first sip of coffee and I rarely don't smell a flower on my daily walks. I continue to work hard on finding a realistic balance that makes me happy. Thanks for this important reminder. See you soon!!!!
Thank you, Kris! You are an inspiration—more dedicated to getting out (and at the crack of dawn) than most. You’ll find your balance. And, yes, don’t forget to smell the flowers. 🩷
A single step, a quiet moment, a curious gaze... I agree Wendy we need to calm our nervous systems instead of reacting from wounds, trauma and conditioning. I treasure my times in nature. Even if they are in my neighborhood. I just got back from a 45-minute walk, sun on my face, the wind on my skin, the trees in bloom and the crows are playing. Nervous regulation is the new revolution! I'm all in. 💜
Ohhh, that sounds wonderful, Julie! Any time and any place we can get out is a gift. To a revolution! 🩵
Thanks for this wonderful article, Wendy. For me, little walks turned into deeper connection with nature and life-altering wandering. I'm so glad I took my first steps.
Thank you, Dru! It's so interesting to look back at the first steps you've taken--on any life journey. Sometimes we recall them, other times not. Some are deliberate decisions, others taken on a whim. All are meaningful starts to something new.
I love Geoff Nicholson's insight in The Lost Art of Walking that we are already in motion before we realise we are on a journey. Whether they're deliberate or accidental, first steps are crucial.
Ohhh..I’ll have to check this out. Thanks for the insight!
As someone else who has been determined to carve an outdoor life as much as possible, I look forward to reading more
Wonderful! To walking on the wild side.
Keli and I do a quick 30 minute, 2 mile walk down to Swampscott harbor and around every AM we can at 5:30 am… great launch to the day!
Just sent you a DM.
So good! Plus, the water! Home sweet home. 💦🩵
I’m so glad you listenef to the wild, unbridled intuition inside and didn’t follow that path, instead of carving one out that matched your soul. I think you’re right about the Administration embodying our collective unconscious. Perhaps we needed to see it and all its ugliness in order to begin to do the difficult work of healing.
Thank you, Linnea! The calls were so loud—and so visceral—I couldn’t turn away. Even during more difficult times, I’ve always held a very deep knowing that I was being true to myself. It is a powerful feeling.
I agree—awareness of where we are is a necessary first step in healing the collective. Whether and how that will happen is another matter entirely. Thanks for sharing! 🩵