I’m afraid Thoreau would not approve of my kind of walking – I walk for exercise and to ponder on situations and events happening in my life. These are not allowed in Thoreau’s definition of walking. I don’t know that even when I have hiked in the mountains that I have ever been completely concentrated in what is around me. Yes, I enjoy the smells, the sights, the sounds of nature, but to immerse myself in Nature? I don’t believe it has ever occurred to me. Thoreau has such a talent for becoming part of what is going on around him in the woods and likening those occurrences to our relationships to God and others. I wonder what Thoreau would make of our hectic, mad pace of life and our ability to fill every waking moment with activity. He definitely would not approve of so much civilization. I think he would still be able to find the time to walk and compose his writing, although it might be more difficult for him to find venues he hadn't traveled on before. I have been walking more outside since it is spring, and I have tried to pay more attention to the awakening of the plants and animals and marveling on the rebirth of everything this time of year. I think our problems would seem smaller if we took time to gain perspective of our place in the world by viewing ourselves as a part of Nature, just as Thoreau tells us to.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Walking by Thoreau
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In my family we are big time hikers. In the spring, summer, and fall we try to go several times a week. We went for the first time yesterday. I love being out in nature and I love how it can clear my head. I had a difficult day at school yesterday and it was so nice to just leave everything behind and to go "walking." When I experiences things like this, I can totally understand what Thoreau is trying to say.
ReplyDeleteI like the metaphor...walking to realize your are "part and parcel of nature." This really hits on the idea that we as humans are only small cogs in a giant machine. We are only a part of something larger than ourselves. Just one question: What's on the other side of the "No Trespassing" sign?
ReplyDeleteI think the thing I appreciate about Thoreau the most is that he "practiced what he preached." He was a man who could have been highly successful in a monetary world, but he transcended money and other men's definitions of success to be happy. He found walking in nature contented him, so why would he look for fulfilment elsewhere. Thoreau gave beautiful advice which I find I am willing to entertain because it is free of hypocracy. He liked his life, and he liked his choices. His advice is that we each do the same. I do not think he wants everyone to pack up and move to a lake for two years. In fact I think that idea would disgust him because it is not original. He would like us to think for ourselves, find what makes us happy, and work toward that end.
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