A breeze brushes my face as I walk through our neighborhood. Homes in the early morning sit politely on manicured lawns, some with pulsing arcs of water irrigating the grass. Here and there, crepe myrtle trees tout torches of fuchsia, lavender, or cream. I spot a fire hydrant, newly painted yellow. Bicyclers, wanting to beat the heat, whiz past me, as I walk on the curvy sidewalk. The concrete is not kind to my knees, one with an elastic support.
I much prefer the preserve.
There I tread a grassy path, sometimes dodging the arc from a raspberry bush. I hear a rustle in the palmettos, possibly a wild duck. Two cardinals rehearse a morning duet. Here and there, cypress tree roots, popping through the ground like buckled spines, dot my walk. I walk around them so I donโt stumble. Brambles snag my ankle. Then, ducking through the pine-needled blanket beyond the path, I find a meadow, bordered with more pines and live oaks. To my left is an evergreen fighting blight. I notice some rust-colored branches, low-down on its tall stature; I wince, hoping the blight is not fatal. Strolling quietly on, two bunnies sense my presence, take a long look, and then scurry back to safety.
The nature walk in the preserve takes me back to Grandmaโs woods, long ago, in another place and time, where nature offered its particular brand of balm. Like a book, my walk becomes โportable magic.โ
Why These Famous Thinkers Walked So Much
(All text below and some photos from source above, Mark Sisson in “Daily Apple.”)
Aristotle, the famous Greek philosopher, empiricist, and pupil to Plato, conducted his lectures while walking the grounds of his school in Athens.ย His followers (who quite literally followed him as he walked) were even known as theย peripatetics โย Greek for meandering or walking about.
The poet with the most fitting surname ever, William Wordsworth walked nearly 175 thousand miles throughout his lifeย while maintaining a prolific writingย career. He managed these two seemingly opposing habits for two reasons. First, being shorter (but not necessarily easier) than novels, poems take less actual writing time to produce. Second, Wordsworthโs walkingย wasย writing, in a way.ย As he saw it, the act of walking was โindivisibleโ from the act of writing poetry.ย Both were rhythmic, both employed meter. He needed to walk in order to write.
Famous composer Ludwig Van Beethoven typically worked from sun-up through mid afternoon, taking several breaks to โ[run] out into the openโ and work while walking. One biographer described these short walks as a bee swarming out to collect honey. And then, after a large midday meal, Beethoven would take a longer, more vigorous โpromenadeโ lasting the rest of the afternoon. These walks happened regardless of the weather, for they were important for his creativity. He would carry a pen and sheets of music paper in case inspiration struck โ which it often did.
John Muir was a naturalist who helped preserve Yosemite, Sequoia National Park, and other wild areas from development and private interests. He wasnโt just โaโ naturalist. He was the guy who climbed peaks to whoop and howl at vistas, chased waterfalls. . . .
Julia Cameron, Finding Water: The Art of Perseveranceย
“Walking is a problem-solving tool. A footfall at a time, problems are solved by walking. St. Augustine referred to solving problems by walk as ‘Solvitur ambulando.'”
“Walking starts the writing engine humming.”
Without shame or scolding, walking puts a gentle end of self-involvement. Almost without noticing it, we become engaged with a world larger than ourselves and our concerns. A bluejay hops to a stone wall. A squirrel scampers along a tree branch, Our consciousness follows, entertained.
โWalking has a way of drawing pain to scale.โ โWalking has made [my] dreams feelโ more real.
Other Ways to Walk . . .
With a dog, brother Mark with Fritzie IV, circa 2015
Crooked, like grandson
Pilates moves, walking at an angle via ZOOM
Walking Wisdom
Confucius says:ย โIt does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.โ
And then, advice from a greeting card:
How do you walk–and when?
Other notable walkers?
Your most fulfilling walking experienceย . . .
Absolutely love this post Marian! Walking is for me as essential as breathing (almost) and is like a meditation in itself. For me it’s a way of ‘getting out of my own way’ when I give my ego a well deserved break of being in my head. The sights, sounds, smells of the sea and breaking waves is very calming for me. As are those mountains in the near distance. I’ll walk anywhere anytime in Nature as time allows. mmmm re most fulfilling walking experience? Maybe trekking the Amalfi Coast some years ago … difficult for sure. Thank you! Lovely photos ๐
Well, today you are at the top of the list, starting off the conversation. While it’s early morning in my time zone, you are probably thinking about lunch – ha!
Yes, the body takes over while we walk, freeing the mind to take a break, usually that is. I too remember the Amalfi coast and wrote about a big misunderstanding Cliff and I had in Positano, which you also visited. I reviewed the post and found you commented about hiking there and overnighting in this lovely hillside town: https://marianbeaman.com/2014/09/03/moments-of-extreme-emotion-meet-me-under-the-bougainvillea/
Thanks for all this, Susan!
I checked your 2014 post Marian and reveled again in the colours and sights. I too bought a few very pretty dishes in Positano. That Amalfi coast is soooo beautiful. Why no limoncello with the aubergine???
Good question, Susan. It was a hot day, so I guzzled water, water! ๐
Good morning, Marian! Well, you know I walk, and it is a time to think.
Now, I see how you do your pilates class, too. ๐
Yes, the sights in your neighborhood and along the Delaware River are often prompts for your poetry. You amaze me, Merril, every day a new poem!
About the Pilates class, my instructor moved to NC recently, but we can all gather via ZOOM. Thanks for noticing all this. ๐
When I hear the work walk, I immediately think of Merril. She always takes the most beautiful photos during her walks. My favorite place to walk is on the beach. Sometimes I think I could go on for days without stopping. Since beach trips are a distant memory, for now, the treadmill must do.
I don’t think you live very close to a beach. When pandemic restrictions are behind us, you are welcome to visit our coastal city; we live just 12 miles from the Atlantic.
Yes, we are all compromising now. I’m glad your treadmill is allowing your to exercise — and ruminate. Thanks, Jill!
I try to do a meditative walk every day. My husband walks for fitness reasons, and sometimes I go with him, but then I still have to do the meditative walk by myself later – we walk for completely different reasons. Another famous walker is Stephen King. That tells me it must be a good way to get ideas . . .
I’m guessing you and your husband have different stride lengths, which is why it never works for the two of us to walk together: Either he doesn’t get the benefit of cardio in the walk, or I get left behind.
Thanks for mentioning Stephen King, whose horror makes us walk straighter (?!?). As you may know, he wrote The Long Walk; he also is the source for walking quotes, like: “Grammar is the pole in you grab to get your thoughts up on their feet and walking.” You may know others.
Always good to hear from you. Thanks, Arlene!
Yes, even when I go for a ยซย fitness ยซย walk with him, he has to slow down a lot for me.
๐
Great post, Marian! I remember that photo of your grandson, because it inspired me as I wrote a middle grade novel.
I love to be near trees whenever I walk. I live in an area with lots of trees. This is why I love Pride and Prejudice. The characters were always taking walks. ๐
You made my heart sing mentioning that my grandson’s “crooked” walk because it inspired you as you wrote a middle grade novel. Thanks SO much, L. Marie.
We just watched the version of Pride and Prejudice with Kiera Knightley. As I think back, the characters’ walking seemed very deliberate: to vent emotion, to catch up with another walker in the days of horse and carriage, not much meandering for those people except perhaps to brood. ๐
I love taking my dog for walks. I often come up with writing ideas while walking. One canยดt sit in front of the computer all the time! A great post. xo
Yes, Darlene, it’s good for the eyes, the brain, the dog – and of course our writing muses. Here’s to taking a computer break.
Thanks! ๐
I put in many miles when I was training horses; when they needed cooling out I walked them by hand. It was always a comfort to have this gentle beast off of my right shoulder plodding along with me. Now, I walk with two Trek poles to help keep my balance. I still enjoy walking and absorbing all of the sights and sounds around me. I never knew there were so many shades of green! This morning I will head out soon to go pick wild blackberries that are now ripening, and decorate my cottage cheese for breakfast, if the deer haven’t gotten to them.
Your comment elicits so many images: the brown of a horse’s back, the green of grass and trees, and the dark purple of wild blackberries.
Ginger, you underscore that we can get out and about, no matter the degree of our mobility. Two Trek poles are just as effective as a cantering horse to get the juices flowing.
Thanks for sharing your positive energy, Ginger!
Marian โ I learned something new today. Aside from John Muir, I wasn’t aware of the other prolific walker/writers. Thank you for that fun information!
Unless there’s ice on the ground, I walk a minimum of six miles a day, usually spreading it out in three 2-mile jaunts.
So many writers walk for inspiration, the English would call it a “constitutional,” I guess. That’s my goal, to pass what I my reading uncovers.
I admire your high walking goals, Laurie. My Fitbit wants me to do more, but since I try to do 2-3 Pilates classes a week, I count that as my “more.” Olive Kitteridge in a novel I’m reading walks her dog first thing in the morning, 3 miles up the river and 3 miles back along the Maine coastline.
Spreading out your walking into three jaunts sounds sensible. You fire up those neurons during the day + give your eyes a break from the computer screen. ๐
Wonderful post, quotes and trivia… A walk in the woods does me wonders! ๐
Bette, your walking in the Maine woods does you a world of good and inspires so many haikus.
Readers, here is Bette’s newest collection, hot off the press: My Maine Haiku through the Seasons: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=My+Maine+haiku&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss
It was released just last month, and already she has 20 five-star ratings. ๐
Oh Marian, I love this post! And I, too, have been walking with an elastic support band around one of my knees.
You asked about how I walk and when, and my most fulfilling walking experience — and I ended up writing a story that I am going to have to turn into a blog post — complete with my own walking pictures!
Here is my comment-soon-to-be post:
My love of going on nature walks began when I was five years old, exploring the woods behind our house. One day I discovered a lean-to that someone had built from tree limbs. There were signs of a recent camp fire a few feet away from the lean-to. Suddenly, my private sanctuary didn’t seem so private anymore.
When I was in the third grade, my teacher told the class that all rivers and streams ultimately end at the sea. I remembered the beauty and majesty of the ocean from our time in California. A small creek ran through the woods behind our house. That Saturday, I set off through the woods, determined to follow the creek until I came to the ocean.
We lived in Missouri at the time. I followed the creek for a very long ways, until I came to a barbed wire fence that went straight across the narrow stream. There was no way that I could see to get over or through the fence, without a great deal of pain and suffering. Dejected, I turned around and followed the creek back to my familiar woods. I made it home in time for supper.
My favorite walk by far was in December of 2009. My husband, our Australian Cattle dog, and I went on a long walk through White Sands National Park, here in New Mexico. Endless rolling acres of white gypsum ‘sand’, stretching out for miles in every direction, as far as the eye could see. It was glorious! Our dog had never smiled so much. My favorite pictures of our old dog, Lady, and me, were taken that day. My gravatar is a cropped picture my husband took of me on that walk.
The night before we drove to White Sands, my husband and I were stopped by the police and the border patrol as we were traveling through the Sacramento Mountains of southern New Mexico. When the sirens and flashing lights came up behind us, my husband pulled our truck off to the side of the narrow mountain road and stopped, expecting them to go around us. Instead, we heard a voice over a loudspeaker ordering us to exit the vehicle with our hands held over our heads. There were assault rifles pointing at us as we complied. Next we were told to kneel down, then lie face down on the ground. The frozen earth was covered in ice and snow. I was handcuffed, frisked with shaking hands, and then we were walked back to the border patrol vehicle, where they ran our ID — and discovered they had arrested the wrong people.
Walking and running through White Sands the next day was positively exhilarating!
Thanks for sharing the stories for your future blog post. I love how one idea can spark a cascade of others. In fact, you may have material for more than one post. Also, I’ve always found your Gravatar photo fascinating. Now I know why.
Each of your stories carries deep emotion, especially the case of the false arrest in the Sacramento Mountains. Wow, Linda Lee! ๐
Thank you! You know, when you are exiting your vehicle under the glare of floodlights, with assault rifles pointed at you, you don’t want to make any sudden moves. So neither my husband or I closed the truck doors as we were getting out. Our very protective Cattle Dog was in the back seat of the crew cab, and she went ballistic, barking and straining to get out and save her mom and dad. Thankfully, I had purchased a locking harness for her, shortly before this happened. The harness was securely locked into the seat belt mechanism, which prevented her from leaping out and running to attack the men with guns. Whew!!
You also asked about other famous walkers. How about our Lord Jesus, who did not have a place to lay His head? Can you imagine being one of those to hear Him say “Follow Me”? Now that would have been a walk to write about!
“No place to lay his head,” a biblical truth I often forget about as I gloss over familiar scriptures or view idealized photo of my LORD. Thank you for the stark reminder.
I know what you mean. The first time I really noticed that verse, I was taken aback.
I had to do a quick search to find that scripture again. Here it is, in the New International Version:
Luke 9:57-58
57ย As they were walking along the road,ย a man said to him, โI will follow you wherever you go.โ
58ย Jesus replied,ย โFoxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Manย has no place to lay his head.โ
Thank you!
I walk outside wherever I can do so safely, but have never thought about how philosophical it might be to do so. I find the biggest obstacle to me walking more is me. Perhaps I need to channel my inner Wordsworth, get my kicks on and get going.
Walking may be over-rated by the philosophers, but laughing–never. (Good for our insides!) Thanks for the chuckle, Ally!
It has been too hot to walk and I miss it. This summer, when I’m home, Hubby and I have started walking together. It’s nice, but I miss walking alone with my ipod. Walking with my music combines activity with worship and prayer – good for the body and the soul. ๐
You have the perfect combo: walking & worship. I usually walk, alone with my thoughts, but sometimes I talk to my sister or a friend, so I don’t feel lonely. Other times, I do like to be alone with my thoughts, clearing the air. Thanks for sharing yours today, Jenn!
I am a walker.. It clears my mind and opens my mind… a lovely post and I am not late today.. Yeah!
However (or whenever) you arrive, you are always welcome here, Carol. Thank you!
Ahhh…bless you, Marian ๐ x
I try to walk 45 minutes every day, along the lake 10 minutes from our house. Sometimes I donโt feel like it, but Iโm always rewarded when I do it anyhow. There is something that happens to my brain when I walk, and itโs a good thing. Iโve had lots of inspiration during those walks, and am thankful for my good health that allows me to walk. Good blog post, Marian!
Elfrieda, 45 minutes amounts to at least two miles, unless you are slowly sauntering. Brava to you!
Indeed, I often don’t feel like walking either because of the heat and humidity except for early morning when I like to have my quiet time.
YES, I’m thankful too for mobility. I think be both want to be walking when we’re ninety. Right! ๐
Beautiful quotations here, Marian. We’ve always been very keen walkers and, when we were younger, we walked a few of the “long distance paths” in GB, like the West Highlands Way in Scotland (100 miles), which we completed in 6 days. Our honeymoon was also a walking holiday in the Highlands, going up and down mountains of over 3000 feet! As children, we walked everywhere as parents didn’t have a car.
Walking is a great stress reliever and a great source of inspiration for all kinds of Art. Vincent Van Gogh was another tireless walker and he immortalised what he saw in his priceless paintings.
I love that photo of you doing Pilates! ๐โค
Thank you, Fatima. You are one of the fittest people I know. Your parents not having a car got you in the habit early. Over the years you have logged many good miles (kilometers!) with your hiking partner.
One of the reasons I like British movies is that the cinematography often pans over lovely terrain, Scottish highlands, English moors. You name, I like it!
Thanks for all this, even adding Van Gogh, whom I wasn’t aware of as a walker. Yet he most have walked out into the wide open spaces to paint wheat fields and haystacks, like Monet. – ha! ๐
I recently watched the excellent film ‘Vincent’ and I think you and Cliff will like it: beautiful photography and a biopic well told. Willem Dafoe takes the painter’s role and he ist just marvellous. Hope you’ll get the chance to see it. It’s on Netflix. ๐
I’ll definitely check it out, Fatima. Thanks!
๐
Loved this post Marian. Seems like we both like those Pilates vids! Loved your delicious descript walk and those of the more famous than us – especially liked Julia Cameron’s view. ๐ x
How else are we going to keep our slim figures, Debby!
By the way, the Pilates photo is from a video, but the instructor is actually my former gym trainer who moved out of town and is continuing with the same group via ZOOM. We are friends and sometimes “catch up” with each other for 5 minutes before we start exercise. So fun.
You are the first to mention Julia Cameron. I like her because she is very wise, quite quirky, and still going! Thanks for checking in today. Always a pleasure. ๐
I keep going. My pup Disco will be a year old in a few days and if I don’t hike with her first thing in the morning, old Willow and I have an irritating nudgy whiny dog to deal with all day until the evening walk comes. I don’t skip either unless Disco goes to doggie day care, but that ended in March when all my reasons for going to town ended. So we walk, sometimes very early and very late because of unusual heat here. I fret about various tree ailments and the extreme dryness we’ve experienced this season, but I have a deep well and water the butterfly garden and my few vegetables. (Does it count as extra steps if I’m dragging a hose filled with water around?) I often have ideas for writing while I walk, but more often I throw balls for Disco. Willow is showing her age and often choose to walk with me rather than run circles with Disco.
You doggies sound just like children, for indeed they are your second generation of kiddos! Thank goodness for the deep well and your butterfly garden. Every now and then I see a hummingbird flit to my feeder just above the flowers.
Yes, Elaine, it does count as extra steps if you drag the water hose around ๐
Thinking of you in hot New York, and thank you too, Elaine.
Walking is my go to best exercise and it has been probably for the last 50 years or so–especially in the last 20 I tried to be regular about it. Scenic walks in mountains, on city streets, wherever, I like the way the mind can work when doing a walkabout.
Melodie, you have said it perfectly, “I like the way the mind can work when doing a walkabout.” From what I can tell, your home is in a scenic setting, so I can imagine some lovely meanderings in your neck of the woods.
Walking gives me a break from household duties or computer stuff. It has helped keep me from packing on more “pandemic” pounds, to the extent that it has – ha!
Ohhh, if only everyone realized the value of walking as you show here so beautifully. I love the quotes. WORDS WORTH – I never thought of it before – how perfect his name was/is. With my writing students, I share quotes from authors who claim that creativity is enhanced with walking . Me? I have no doubts. I walk every morning when the weather is conducive, which is always except here in NE from December to March. Then I struggle. I dance indoors then, but it’s not the same as being outside …. walking.
I just visited your blog and saw the joy there, in your post and of course in the comments too, Pam.
Walking, writing, and staying in touch with author friends like you have made the pandemic problems bearable. This morning I walked at 8:00 and nodded to neighbors on foot and on bikes.
Dancing would get my juices flowing, but then I never learned to dance as a Mennonite girl. Ha Ha!
YOU and I have developed good habits, long before Covid-19 surfaced. Here’s to walking, dancing, and whatever exercise gets the juices flowing. Thanks for checking in this morning. ๐
Lovely post, Marian! You always manage to tie these subjects together like popcorn strings. Walking is my favorite pastime – for exercise and for exploring. While we might have slacked years past, now, with a dog, walking is a daily activity again and Iโm happy for it. Most of the time, when the weather is okay and when schedules allow it. That being said, walking in town is much less exciting and exhilarating than walking in nature…
Thanks, Liesbet, for the compliment. You know I love metaphors: “tie…together like popcorn strings.”
Walkers were out very early this morning, most without dogs until later. One name “Bunny” because of bunny ears is my favorite. She doesn’t yap – ha!
Oh! Marian you have touched on one of my favourite subjects …Walking …I love it . I have walked on a daily basis for all my life . I believe it is the balm to most ills . For all emotions good and bad it eases . It helps maintain fitness levels , helps control weight. Itโs a problem solver . Walk with your enemy and they will soon be your friend . Helps sooth depression. I could go on but I wonโt .๐
I write lots of stories I dream them up whilst walking , equally within poems , like the wonderful Wordsworth. Yes , what a name .
In lockdown I have found a whole new way of walking . I lane walk from my house . I came to live in my area for the beaches and they used to be where I would go daily, but when we werenโt allowed on them , I thought Iโd go mad but no . The lanes are better,, peaceful, they come alive with every season . Iโve discovered wildlife in abundance and I donโt need to go to the shops anymore . There are houses selling plants , fruit , veg and books , with just an honesty pot .
If I was a doctor Iโd proscribe regular walks and chuck the tablets .
Cherryx
Cherry, I love your list of walking benefits. One stood out: Walk with your enemy and they will soon be your friend. That’s a good sentiment, one I haven’t thought of before!
I’m sorry you can’t walk on the beaches, but lo, and behold, you enjoy the lanes now. And an added bonus: fresh produce along the way. I guess you have to take along a bag or two, and money for the honesty pot. ๐
You know, it’s true, when things change, we have to adapt and sometimes, like you, there’s a lovely surprise enclosed, as you discovered. By the way, I like your prescription, Dr. Cherry! oxo