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Walking Can Save You
Peace, rhythm, solitude and reflection
When I was in my early 20s, after leaving college and scratching my head about what to do with my life, I took a job in a local government office in the town next to mine. Since I had barely enough money to pay my rent, let alone buy a car, I used to walk to and from the job everyday.
It wasn’t far, but it wasn’t close either. I walked 3 miles each morning and 3 miles back each evening. It took 45 minutes from door to door. Whatever the weather, I walked everyday.
After a few weeks, I started to realise that all this walking was having a powerful effect on me. The path I took began to grow familiar: roads to cross, hills to climb, traffic lights to wait at, landmarks, canal bridges, near the river, pass the school, glimpsing the church spire above the rooftops as I went.
The familiarity of the journey brought with it a new aspect. I noticed how sometimes the cars on the road beside me flowed freely, and how at other times they were clogged up nose to tail. Whereas for me, I just kept going at the same rhythmic pace. Every journey took 45 minutes.
I realised that, with this simple regularity, I could relax and let my thoughts wonder. This long daily walk became a type of meditation. I had no idea what an extraordinary liberation this could be…
