How do you unwind after a demanding day?
I recently attended a workshop about restorative justice and traditional storytelling (yes, I’m that punk rock), and one of the beautiful stories we heard was about a tree and how it holds all our memories and experiences – powerful imagery that really resonated.
We were then given a reflective prompt to consider and discuss in groups. I reflected on how walking and connecting with nature is crucial to my wellbeing and my ability to literally walk away the accumulated stresses and mental clutter of the day.
For me, the rhythmic movement of walking, combined with the mindful presence I find from being outside, creates a space for processing thoughts, gaining perspective, and releasing tension.
During this workshop, inspired by the connection between nature and memory, I wrote a poem that later became a song. Here’s a short excerpt from the longer piece.
‘When I’m feeling deflated,
So far from elated
I walk
To the tree
It reminds me how alive we can be
How alive we can be
When the light shines in.’
I’ve written about nature and the importance of being in tune with the seasons before and you can read more about that here. Finding my Footing.
And for today, I leave you with some words by one of my favourite poets, Wendell Berry, as it speaks so eloquently to walking and our true place in nature:
I walk in openings
That when I’m dead will close
Where the field sparrow sings
Will come the sweet wild rose
The yellowthroat will claim
The tangle with his song
The redbud and wild plum
Light up the hill in Spring
The hard field will find ease
In being thus released:
Let it grow wild in peace,
My workplace come to rest
How do you find your own way to ‘walk away the day’ and reconnect with the natural world?”
The World Outside the Window 