Welcome to my meanderings on walking gently in this world. I first heard this phrase during the height of pandemic shutdown when walking in the woods was one of the only grounding things. I had decided to listen to Thich Nat Han after an interview with Krista Tippett at “On Being.” And the phrase I was struck by in a time of so much stress and confusion in our part of the world was “Dear Mother Earth, Every time I step upon the Earth, I will train myself to see that I am walking on you, my Mother. Every time I place my feet on the Earth I have a chance to be in touch with you and with all your wonders…Walking in mindfulness I can express my love, respect, and care…I want to walk gently, with steps of love and with great respect. I shall walk with my own body and mind united in oneness. I know I can walk in such a way that every step is a pleasure, every step is nourishing, and every step is healing—not only for my body and mind, but also for you, dear Mother Earth.” At a time when we were all separated physically so much of the time, the poignant nature of being still one with the whole of creation, seeing the planet as living and not simply as a source of our transactions and demands and lived out fears has stayed with me.
I am by nature a hiker, and cyclist (mainly trails though I am embracing road cycling slowly). I am physically walking more gently because I am awaiting foot surgery that will hopefully be a short term challenge with a long term benefit, but this has made me quite literally walk gently. And gain a new appreciation for those who are also having to be slower and more tender.
I am a traveler because I am curious about the world I have not yet seen and this has been a passion since my first world travel on what would now be seen as an audacious trip- high school students for six weeks in Europe. Having traveled in much of Europe, North America and having dipped a toe into Asia when I was in Turkey, I have had the blessing of learning both in joys and in humility. I am still learning. As I share my experiences starting with my most recent trip to Italy, the Vatican and Croatia, I will offer some insight into how to travel light, how to immerse in the places you go, and sample the food, culture and history at least as I have seen it.
Finally, I am a spiritual person, both in how we experience the beauty of creation and how I experience God in all things. Things like gratitude, naming where we see that which is clearly beyond us, and the grounding of breathing and prayer. Welcome to the journey. – Carolyn
Walk Gently 