I think walking a dog is one of the best ways to observe the world around us. When I was drafting the intro to your wonderful piece, I found myself adding a couple of paragraphs centred on this, talking of when I used to walk Orlando every morning before, or at, dawn. I edited those out, or there'd be a thousand words before even one of yours, but I kept thinking about them, and you and Lola.
Many thanks for sharing this piece, I truly appreciate it!
That was beautiful Matthew, an ode to the cycle of the seasons and the secrets they hold within…
“the Chickasaw, believe the land itself was sacred, the turning of the seasons attuned to the imperceptible but significant changes in each individual.” I believe the Chickasaw people were right… I believe that if we live as they did we would feel those changes more perceptibly too - dog walks are a good place to begin!
Thank you for sharing this Matthew, and thank you Alex for creating this space!
Susie, thanks for the kind words. I believe that modern society has largely forgotten the ancient wisdom of the native people's. However there is a slow movement of souls like our own who are seeking an understanding and connection with that way of life.
Thank you Susie, it really is a lovely piece, full of gentle observation, that sense of being in a place which can only come from walking through it, over and over. (I miss walking a dog--it would definitely get me away from my desk a lot more than I do at present!)
And what you say about the Chickasaw being right is certainly true.
This is lovely, Matthew. I have a wood nearby where I walk often so, like you, have seen it in all its mantles. I miss walking with my dog there - I've learned to walk myself and pat any dog I meet, if it will allow me to 🙂
Living close to nature is such a crucial thing, isn't it? I do not think I could live in a big city again--stay for a time and visit, yes, but not for long.
Thanks for this, Lynn. I'm a bit more wary of some dogs here in France, they aren't always as friendly! (And they also often roam free and wild, like they used to in the UK when I grew up, can be a bit scary when they are rampaging through the streets!) That said, I do enjoy saying hello to as many as I can, and most of the village dogs know me now.
When I used to walk Orlando most days up in Caithness, it meant I had to get out and walk. It was certainly good for me and sometimes I miss walking a dog. I still need to replace that rhythm with one of my own making, rather than knowing I had to get up and walk him, or he'd soon start barking to let everyone know he was ready! Funny to think he's an old man dog now, strange to think it's seven years since I left Scotland too!
Thank you Alexander & Matthew. I live in a city and so enjoyed this article. I felt I was walking along with you and Lola, Matthew. It was food for my soul.
Thank you for this! I am so happy Matthew took the time to share his and Lola's walks with us, and I love what you say--it really is food for the soul!
Really happy that this resonated with you Maureen. The only time I lived in a city was when I was stationed in San Diego. However, we lived on the outskirts and it was easy for me to escape into this hills east of the city for some much needed outdoor time. I hope you have opportunities to get to a park or something occasionally to encourage your spirit.
I think I've been lucky too, in that when I've lived in cities, I've always lived near the edge, or places where I could get out relatively quickly, whether by linking parks and woods into a walk, or following a river, for example. Perhaps my favourite, however, was when we lived in Chiang Mai, there we could walk out of our home and begin to climb into the jungle really quickly, perhaps ten minutes walk away, following the same trails the monks descended every morning to the city, up up up to Doi Suthep. (This was also why we used to get giant spiders and the occasional deadly snake at our home, of course, but that was all part of the fun!!)
Thank you Alexander for providing the space and Matthew for this piece. The meditation on the changing of the seasons and the profound wisdom and beauty that comes from spending quiet time in nature is a great reminder to seek out this sacred space and to make time for it. It’s something I’m just awful at. I can’t tell you the last time I was in nature. Also, Matthew, bravo on the evocative descriptions of your walk: “With the arrival of autumn, the trees ignite in a riot of colors, painting the hillsides with hues of crimson, gold, and amber. The air is crisp and invigorating, carrying the scent of fallen leaves and wood smoke.” Thanks to you both 🙏🏻
Thanks so much for this comment. I shall keep my fingers crossed that it inspires you to get out into nature again, to seek out that sacred space and connection. It is such a remarkable thing, how it recharges, invigorates, and soothes us. This is a the heart of the Ancestral, Wild Empowerment series, all about how we can look at our relationship with nature through the eyes of those ancestors, for whom the outdoors was simply home, and how it empowers us, even today. Many thanks for commenting, I am so grateful to Matthew for sharing his experiences, and giving me the chance to share them here in turn.
Thanks Alexander for letting share my seasonal reflections. Lola and I have bonded deeply over these adventures.
I think walking a dog is one of the best ways to observe the world around us. When I was drafting the intro to your wonderful piece, I found myself adding a couple of paragraphs centred on this, talking of when I used to walk Orlando every morning before, or at, dawn. I edited those out, or there'd be a thousand words before even one of yours, but I kept thinking about them, and you and Lola.
Many thanks for sharing this piece, I truly appreciate it!
That was beautiful Matthew, an ode to the cycle of the seasons and the secrets they hold within…
“the Chickasaw, believe the land itself was sacred, the turning of the seasons attuned to the imperceptible but significant changes in each individual.” I believe the Chickasaw people were right… I believe that if we live as they did we would feel those changes more perceptibly too - dog walks are a good place to begin!
Thank you for sharing this Matthew, and thank you Alex for creating this space!
Susie, thanks for the kind words. I believe that modern society has largely forgotten the ancient wisdom of the native people's. However there is a slow movement of souls like our own who are seeking an understanding and connection with that way of life.
There are, and we are gathering in force!
Yes! We are here (and elsewhere), and I believe this movement will only gain in traction in the coming years!
Thank you Susie, it really is a lovely piece, full of gentle observation, that sense of being in a place which can only come from walking through it, over and over. (I miss walking a dog--it would definitely get me away from my desk a lot more than I do at present!)
And what you say about the Chickasaw being right is certainly true.
This is lovely, Matthew. I have a wood nearby where I walk often so, like you, have seen it in all its mantles. I miss walking with my dog there - I've learned to walk myself and pat any dog I meet, if it will allow me to 🙂
Thank you Lynn, I appreciate those kind words. We are fortunate who live close to nature.
Living close to nature is such a crucial thing, isn't it? I do not think I could live in a big city again--stay for a time and visit, yes, but not for long.
Thanks for this, Lynn. I'm a bit more wary of some dogs here in France, they aren't always as friendly! (And they also often roam free and wild, like they used to in the UK when I grew up, can be a bit scary when they are rampaging through the streets!) That said, I do enjoy saying hello to as many as I can, and most of the village dogs know me now.
When I used to walk Orlando most days up in Caithness, it meant I had to get out and walk. It was certainly good for me and sometimes I miss walking a dog. I still need to replace that rhythm with one of my own making, rather than knowing I had to get up and walk him, or he'd soon start barking to let everyone know he was ready! Funny to think he's an old man dog now, strange to think it's seven years since I left Scotland too!
Thank you Alexander & Matthew. I live in a city and so enjoyed this article. I felt I was walking along with you and Lola, Matthew. It was food for my soul.
Thank you for this! I am so happy Matthew took the time to share his and Lola's walks with us, and I love what you say--it really is food for the soul!
Really happy that this resonated with you Maureen. The only time I lived in a city was when I was stationed in San Diego. However, we lived on the outskirts and it was easy for me to escape into this hills east of the city for some much needed outdoor time. I hope you have opportunities to get to a park or something occasionally to encourage your spirit.
I think I've been lucky too, in that when I've lived in cities, I've always lived near the edge, or places where I could get out relatively quickly, whether by linking parks and woods into a walk, or following a river, for example. Perhaps my favourite, however, was when we lived in Chiang Mai, there we could walk out of our home and begin to climb into the jungle really quickly, perhaps ten minutes walk away, following the same trails the monks descended every morning to the city, up up up to Doi Suthep. (This was also why we used to get giant spiders and the occasional deadly snake at our home, of course, but that was all part of the fun!!)
Thank you Alexander for providing the space and Matthew for this piece. The meditation on the changing of the seasons and the profound wisdom and beauty that comes from spending quiet time in nature is a great reminder to seek out this sacred space and to make time for it. It’s something I’m just awful at. I can’t tell you the last time I was in nature. Also, Matthew, bravo on the evocative descriptions of your walk: “With the arrival of autumn, the trees ignite in a riot of colors, painting the hillsides with hues of crimson, gold, and amber. The air is crisp and invigorating, carrying the scent of fallen leaves and wood smoke.” Thanks to you both 🙏🏻
Thanks so much for this comment. I shall keep my fingers crossed that it inspires you to get out into nature again, to seek out that sacred space and connection. It is such a remarkable thing, how it recharges, invigorates, and soothes us. This is a the heart of the Ancestral, Wild Empowerment series, all about how we can look at our relationship with nature through the eyes of those ancestors, for whom the outdoors was simply home, and how it empowers us, even today. Many thanks for commenting, I am so grateful to Matthew for sharing his experiences, and giving me the chance to share them here in turn.
Thanks Alexander! I look forward to reading more of the series and getting more inspiration 😊