“I am alarmed when it happens that I have walked a mile into the woods bodily, without getting there in spirit….The thought of some work will run in my head, and I am not where my body is,-I am out of my senses…What business have I in the woods, If I am thinking of something out of the woods?” Henry David Thoreau
I have begun reading Thoreau’s book “Walking” again. I first read it over thirty years ago when a good friend, gave it to me. It didn’t have the meaning for me then that it does now. I’m glad I kept the small book. I found it again, just at the right time in my life.
The above passage comes from “Walking.” It is what I have experienced so many times, and have tried to write about. Reading it makes me feel as if I’ve found a woods-walking companion.
Thoreau takes the idea of walking seriously. Not as a pastime, but as a calling.
His belief in walking reminds me of Jon’s belief in creativity. Jon was the first person I met, even after years of art school, who believed in creativity as some people believe in God. It has been a structure for his life, a vocation, as it now is for me also.
I believe I have something to learn from Thoreau about walking.
You have just reminded me that I also have Thoreau’s book, walking. I received it as a gift and read it many years ago. I will pull it out and read it again. Thank you!!!
It must be one of those books that we need to read more than once Gloria.
I believe I have something to learn from Maria on Thoreau about walking.
ha! I like that Sharon. Thank you. 🙂