Danish poet Peter Laugesen on the importance of walking without purpose:
You have to leave things that you feel distract you if you want something else. And you should do that other thing no matter what the cost. Moving around in the world without any real purpose is possible for most people.
This large question of whether you can plot your next move while still shoveling coal into the engine of the last, that’s something I’ve ruminated on for years. If I were laying out Social Safety Net 2.0, we’d all receive a paid year off at ages 30, 40, 50 and 60 to rest, gather our horses, walk purposelessly, and tease out the shape of the next decade of our lives.
Comments
I don't much like being alone or being in silence, especially at home and when walking. There are times, however, when I like what to me is a mindless individual task and my favorite is raking leaves. I only do that in the spring since the groundcover is beneficial so I leave the fall leaves. I have had some of my best ideas that hit me like a Eureka! moment in these somewhat quiet mindless moments. They are not mindless at all.