I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud
- happynicity
- Nov 1, 2022
- 1 min read
Updated: Dec 4, 2022
Walks are a gift I give to myself.
On a physical level, I like the feel of my muscles stirring and stretching, like the way my weight shifts with my steps, like the steady rhythm my body falls into.
On a personal level, walks are a time I carve out for myself, to be still, to reflect on things.
On a spiritual level, walks are a way for me to appreciate the grand architecture of the world. My heart lifts at the endless blue of the sky, at the vibrant green that surrounds me, at the wind chasing the clouds.
Over the years, I have taken long leisurely walks along boardwalks, nature reserves, parks and roads. I have made friends on my routes, engaged in interesting conversations and petted a dog or two. Sometimes I am delighted by unexpected cameos.
Take time to savour the world around you the next time you go on a walk. Observe the flight patterns of the different birds, look for the secret glint of a spider’s web, notice how light filters through the trees. Walks are, undoubtedly, nature’s best therapy.
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Wonderful and delightful to read of your deep solitary walking, imbued with personal and spiritual dimensions. Thank you for your insights.
In our world today, there is a dearth of mystics who walk on the earth lightly and who see beyond the surface. I recall Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh’s words to the effect that the true miracle is to walk on earth … mindfully, like kissing the earth with our feet. I agree.
Walking, like many other activities, can be a spiritual occupation—a meaningful profound activity that evokes growth and actualisation, immediacy of being and wholeness, stillness and centredness, connection to the wider context in love, and transcendence beyond words and ideas.