If the current COVID pandemic has shown us anything it’s that we’re social creatures and “getting out” is important. I don’t just mean having one too many beers or cocktails and getting carried out of a bar. But outside. With people – with pets – with friends – with partners or by ourselves. All of this time cooped up inside has shown people just how important green spaces are or a nice place to sit in the garden or a local park or beach.
I’m not preaching. In fact I’m a really lazy person most of the time. I’m the great complainer when I go on hikes or long walks. I want to eat my lunch an hour in. But like most things in life – you only feel the benefit in hindsight. We’re meant to move. We’re meant to breathe fresh air. We’re meant to get out of our own little corner of the world and see that we’re part of a much bigger whole. It’s good for the soul. Because if you pay attention you’ll see you’re just one billions of different species that call this spiralling rock our home – you’re subject to the weather – the temperature – subject to yourself in a different way.
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. – John Muir
I hope that if and when things return to some kind of normality – we all don’t forget the importance of the simple things. Going “out” doesn’t need to cost a lot of money or require queues or hangovers – it’s just moving and paying attention to your surroundings. If you only get one shot at time on this planet – go out and explore.
I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in. – John Muir
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