History is littered with anecdotes about creatives, scientists and philosophers having their Eureka moments, the defining link with the Muse or breakthrough thought that crowned their academic achievement. All this while walking.
There is something about the symbiotic relationship between the physical movement of the body and the freeing up of ones thought processes to solve problems and create insights into the human condition that sitting in a room at a desk would never generate.
I went on a walk, not a challenging one but a flat walk along the Camel Trail and let my thoughts wander and the same with my body, all at a slow pace, observing and noticing with my senses and noting down what kind of thoughts manifested from the stream of consciousness influenced by travelling at 3mph for three to four hours.
Some of the thoughts were questions about the surroundings and specific physical areas. There were more enquiries and a to-do note-to-self for finding more about what I had observed. Research is never too far away from a new observation. Other thoughts would be in the class of ideas and plans of interesting things allied to planning new walks and where to take people walking. Others were more philosophical about Nature and our place within it, enmeshed in it, as a small part of it.
The Aha moment came from an observation about tree branches and wondering why they seem to suddenly change direction and I wondered how this occurs and over what time period. We see the finished angular change in the branches shape. But what is the cause and the specific moment in time when the cambium of the branch bends in a new direction? We are talking getting into tree time here, a process over a long period of non conceivable and observable human time. I noticed that many branches of many different trees along a section of two hundred metres had a ninety degree bend upwards at virtually the same height. Was there a weather event, season or other favourable conditions for growth towards the light that occurred at some indefinable moment years ago? I’m now much more conscious of tree shapes and how and why they are individually uniquely shaped despite the common species shape observable in winter.
Interestingly, here’s the list in order of what I thought about along the stretch of the Camel Trail. Much of it was at the beginning of the walk with less “new” or “inspiring” thoughts towards the end of the day. That in itself is an interesting observation.
- How can I inspire and enable positivity in mental health through walking?
- This is a lovely trail so what about arranging a walking weekend based around the Camel Trail including Wadebridge, Bodmin and Padstow and the woodlands and river?
- I observed an invitation to cross a threshold into a new woodland, to explore and enjoy. A gate or fence is an invitation and for some it is a barrier.
- I wondered what the history is and reason for an open space of grassland amongst the woodlands on the steep bank on the opposite side of the river. It must be around an acre and probably was part of the woodland that stretches for a mile or so? I always question why habitats are compartmentalised, fenced off and where footpaths come and go to.
- Is my breathing changing according to what I am observing as I’m on the flat terrain? It is definitely slower and deeper.
- I observed many animal tracks through the woods and coming down off of Cornish hedges, badger or fox width. I was wondering if the animals take the most direct route, or do they interrupt their travelling due to other sensory criteria like smell, sound, ground vibration and “colour”? Or like some walkers, are they on a mission to “get there”? The thought of animals wandering, meandering, strolling and other verbs we ascribe to humans amused me for a while.
- Today I am saying hello to a lot of walkers and cyclists and maybe I take for granted the freedom we have to walk for leisure, irrespective of the fact that so much of the countryside is blocked off to the public (Read The Book of Trespass by Nick Hayes). For some people in this world walking is an existential decision full of fear, hope and need.
- I really need to better at my bird call recognition. I used to be fairly good at it.
- Nature is non-judgemental but for humanity and its future it is the ultimate and supreme judge.
The thoughts of this lone walker.
Do you go walking to solve problems, to clear your head, for health and wellbeing?
