East Grove Blues

Sadly my kids today had testing today. I feel for them…really. It also meant that I didn’t have class today, so its lucky me, not so lucky students. Since I had so much time to do nothing, but had to stay ‘at school’ I went for a little walk.

I like walking and I wish I had more time for it. There is just something refreshing about strolling along without having to worry about time or work. A moment to just enjoy the world, and enjoy it I did.

Near my school there is a little access road that leads up to the top of the mountain. I am not sure how many feet it is, but its roughly 700m or so. The road is steep and follows a bubbling stream. There were rocks jutting out of the mountains, tall pine trees and glimpses of the rice fields below every once in a while. The forest floor was green, but most of the leaves that can fall have done so. The air was crisp and the sun was shining on my head most of the walk. Needless to say it was a lovely time.

I like walking because it affords me time to think, or more to the point, a time to clear my head. I go over things, but I am constantly reminded of the beauty around me, thus turning my mind off for a moment. Those moments I try to savor. Any time I can turn the noise down in my head is worth while. Before long all that is there is the sounds of the stream running and the occasional bird yelling at me to move along. I enjoy the solitude or it all.

For a while I was going to write about how we have lost our ability to be alone, to be silent. But then I thought about it for a moment. Anyone who has lived in a poor country in a one room house knows that there is no such thing as silence. There are always children crying or animals needing tended to. In America that is replaced with TV shows and video games. The difference I see is that instead of focusing on the people around you, you focus on those who you will never meet in real life. I don’t know if I would deal with either of those very well.

As much as I love being around people, I do enjoy my silence. I enjoy long walks or short runs. Time away from everything where I can focus on me. That can seem narcissistic, but the best way to help other people is help yourself. When you are happy and balanced than that radiates out of you and affects everyone around you.

I wish more people would try it. Not just being alone, but being in silence alone. That can be a difficult thing, with family or work and who knows what else, but I assure you it is well worth it.