I've never walked outside to anything but the sounds of nature. I prefer silence in general, but outside I'd be more wary that someone or something would come up behind me that I didn't hear because I was listening to music. Also, I long ago learned the power of quiet walks to clear my mind and even to talk to myself when needed and away from prying ears -- it's a great way to vent when venting is needed. And I don't mind looking like a crazy person if anyone happens upon me talking out loud to myself -- ha ha.
"Soothed by the motion, the rational mind finally can let go of the tangled reins and let the horse gallop." What a great way to describe those moments of clarity that occur when we step away from our creative work. I really enjoyed this, Jody. Also, cats in window seats are always wonderful.❤️
Thanks, Maria, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Isn't it amazing how the clarity can come when we're *not* writing? Also glad you liked Marcel the lap panther's cameo. :)
I crashed out of an over-busy life, isolated by deep depression, COVID, disability. When I was able, I began walking. First, up the drive and down the culdesac to the mailbox. Then, with the dog, doing the same route in our wooded neighborhood. I began to notice things I had missed for years. With time I noticed little changes with the changing season. The neighborhood flora began to talk to me. I began to see the critters that live in the woods. I came to recognize a world that didn't care who won and who lost an election, whether there was a recession or boom times on Wall Street, who was likely to win the Super Bowl, which fashion designer "won" at the red carpet entry of the Academy Awards. I watched native plants begin to show up in my garden beds, shrubs die a natural death and other shrubs blossom into the space left behind. I realized that I had a tribe right on my acre, without needing to find another human tribe in the workplace. I tried walking with a podcast and ear buds, found it frankly intrusive. I'm glad I started first without the distraction, so I could learn how the trees and the shrubs could talk, too. I am far healthier for learning it. It allows my mind and spirit to soar up and around the tree-tops, feel the breeze, delight in the rain, then deliight in sunny days as well. Daily communion with the natural world helps me keep the virtual world in perspective. Life goes on, truly, regardless of the news cycle.
I've never walked outside to anything but the sounds of nature. I prefer silence in general, but outside I'd be more wary that someone or something would come up behind me that I didn't hear because I was listening to music. Also, I long ago learned the power of quiet walks to clear my mind and even to talk to myself when needed and away from prying ears -- it's a great way to vent when venting is needed. And I don't mind looking like a crazy person if anyone happens upon me talking out loud to myself -- ha ha.
I vent out loud in my car. :) Cell phones and bluetooth are great props for not looking crazy, but good for you for not caring if you do.
Lovely post. I walk at least an hour a day and have for years. The motion lulls the executive function (left brain) allowing creativity more agency.
"Soothed by the motion, the rational mind finally can let go of the tangled reins and let the horse gallop." What a great way to describe those moments of clarity that occur when we step away from our creative work. I really enjoyed this, Jody. Also, cats in window seats are always wonderful.❤️
Thanks, Maria, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Isn't it amazing how the clarity can come when we're *not* writing? Also glad you liked Marcel the lap panther's cameo. :)
I crashed out of an over-busy life, isolated by deep depression, COVID, disability. When I was able, I began walking. First, up the drive and down the culdesac to the mailbox. Then, with the dog, doing the same route in our wooded neighborhood. I began to notice things I had missed for years. With time I noticed little changes with the changing season. The neighborhood flora began to talk to me. I began to see the critters that live in the woods. I came to recognize a world that didn't care who won and who lost an election, whether there was a recession or boom times on Wall Street, who was likely to win the Super Bowl, which fashion designer "won" at the red carpet entry of the Academy Awards. I watched native plants begin to show up in my garden beds, shrubs die a natural death and other shrubs blossom into the space left behind. I realized that I had a tribe right on my acre, without needing to find another human tribe in the workplace. I tried walking with a podcast and ear buds, found it frankly intrusive. I'm glad I started first without the distraction, so I could learn how the trees and the shrubs could talk, too. I am far healthier for learning it. It allows my mind and spirit to soar up and around the tree-tops, feel the breeze, delight in the rain, then deliight in sunny days as well. Daily communion with the natural world helps me keep the virtual world in perspective. Life goes on, truly, regardless of the news cycle.