The best thing about walks is that they prevent me from doing anything. I pride myself on not ever having had a dull moment in my life. Well, the downside to that is that I find it difficult not to do anything. When I’m out on a walk I can’t write emails, arrange photos or write blog posts. Walking gives me the privilege of letting my thoughts flow freely and that, I think, is necessary if you want to be creative. I have sometimes found the solution for a problem at work while having a walk in the woods, quite suddenly without even trying to find it, or not knowing that I was looking for it. I don’t know if there is any scientific proof for it, but I feel that there is so much truth in the saying that having a walk clears you mind.
I don’t have a favorite path, or to put it more accurately I do have many favorite paths, none of which is an absolute favorite one. I choose my path according to the light, the time of year or weather. During winter I choose paths with open views and hills because the sun is so low even at midday that there isn’t enough light for taking photos in a thick forest. During summer I avoid forests altogether because we have lots and lots of mosquitos around here. The best time for forest walks is late autumn, or early spring. I roam in these woods so often that I know when the light hits each of one my favorite spots, given that there is sunlight that day and not another blizzard which has been the case quite often lately. Still it is sometimes difficult to decide which path to take. Today I had trouble deciding whether to go snowshoeing in a forest where there aren’t any paths during winter, or to take some country roads down to the sea. I decided to do the latter. However, there was so much snow by the sea that I would have needed the snowshoes after all, and the wind was biting cold, which made me wish I had gone to the forest instead. Still I managed to take some photos that I’m happy with, so all’s well that ends well.
My favorite walk is the kind that inspires me. Whether I walk alone or with a good friend, whether it snows or rains, whether I decide to go east or west. It might be something that she says, or it might be something that glimmers in the snow, or then it could well be a new place that I find when I lose my way.
nice shots, and nice words 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Trevor!
LikeLike
Lovely sentiment and beautiful photos…very serene
LikeLike
Many thanks for stopping by Helen!
LikeLike
A nurse once told me that walking and running massage brain due to the rhythm the steps make. I don’t know if this was a fact, her opinion or just some figure of speech to underline the importance of regular exercise to well-being but I chose to take it literally. That is just how it sometimes feels: thoughts get more organized, find their own places and value making the unuseful or harmful dross go away leaving you less uptight.
LikeLike
Sounds so perfect, I’m totally ready to buy that. 🙂 Thanks for the comment Katriina.
LikeLike
Dear Annika, I feel as though I have just taken a quiet walk in the woods. Your posts always make me stop and reflect. Your photographs are transporting. I hope you and your boys are feeling better now.
LikeLike
Hi Naomi,
I’m so glad to hear that 🙂 Have a wonderful start for the week! I’m hoping we are all now ready to go to work and school. Looking forward to your next post!
LikeLike
This is lovely! I feel just as you do about walking – for me it’s really a kind of meditation – and much better (and easier) than sitting still. The images are beautiful and I love the way you’ve arranged them with the text. Thank you.
LikeLike
Hi Deborah – thanks so much for the kind words! Have a great start for the week!
LikeLike
Nice words…beautiful photos. You made me wanna take a nice relaxing walk…(and maybe I will tomorrow morning)
LikeLike
Hi Sorin, thank you for the kind words. Hope you had a great walk!
LikeLike
i have always viewed walking as a meditation. i enjoyed your serene thoughts and photos this sunday morning before i began writing my own sunday thoughts. i also like this new minimalist background for your words. : ) have a great week, annika.
LikeLike
Thanks so much for stopping by Annie. Glad you liked the post!
LikeLike
Superb new design Annika! as well as the post 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Xea! Thanks for stopping by – glad you like the post 🙂
LikeLike
yes, walking is living, living is walking! I find your photos, specially the second one full of poetry.
robert,
PS: I walked this morning long enough but without a camera and of course I saw some interesting subjects…
LikeLike
Hi Robert – glad you liked the post – have a great week!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Spiritual Odyssey.
LikeLike
Beautiful, spare photos, like Japanese brush paintings. Your walks give us the visual images of “quiet.”
~lucy
LikeLike
Thank you so much Lucy! Glad you enjoyed the post!
LikeLike
I really enjoyed this post! Having a walk definitely clears your mind, the stress will go away and you’ll feel better, relaxed or energized and inspired.The pictures are great 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you so much for stopping by!
LikeLike
Hi Annika, I just wanted to tell you that on my next post I am nominating you for a 7×7 Link Award for your wonderful blog.
LikeLike
Hi Naomi! Thank you very much for the nomination, much appreciated!!! 🙂
LikeLike