Joseph Campbel said, “We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”

So much of my life has been planned from setting goals that take years to fulfill to making lists of tasks that need to be done in a day. In my youth and young adulthood, I like to think that I was open to life and that I reveled in new experiences. If so, when did the door to spontaneity close? When did the ideas of opening myself to life and shedding plans and ‘have to dos’ become a scary enterprise?

When I walk in the woods at Winterthur, this quote is not scary but a compelling call to live a more authentic life.

Posted by: Anne

“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I  found I was really going in.” John Muir

Sometimes, when I walk in the woods, I hear myself and I sound like a marching band drumming up wildlife from their nesting spots. Each step that I take feels as though I am disturbing the sweet music of nature. On these occasions, my walks are longer- I walk until the rhythm of the woods soothes my soul, lifts my heart and frees my mind.

Posted by: Anne

 One hurricane after another. We are already up to the letter, “I.”  Hurricane Ike hit Texas causing immeasurable damage. The footage from CNN of the hurricane’s wrath on Houston and other Texas towns brings it home how devastating nature can be. This fast and ferocious hurricane season has been equally matched by an unnerving political season with John McCain and the Republican Party’s selection of Sara Palin as the Vice President.  What Sara lacks in knowledge, experience and understanding of world and national affairs, she makes up for with a whirlwind of cliches aimed to placate the right and a bravodo of self rightousness that falls like a hurricane on the moderates and Democrats who have withstood the reign (rain) of Bush.  Sara’s lethal combination of ignorance and arrogance may result in the most ferocious hurricane of the season…

Posted by: Anne

Welcome to Walking Winterthur, a blog about metaphorical walking where meandering minds can share their random thoughts and musings. I invite you to share.

While living here at Winterthur, I have walked the gardens, woods and grounds with family, friends and visitors. I have walked during every season of the calendar year and have come to know where the flowers bloom, the trees bend, the birds feed, the deer sleep, the owl sits, the fox prowls and the wind blows. I have also come to know the seasons of people’s lives, the ruminations of their mind, the passion of their heart, the tenderness of their soul and their hopes and fears, dreams and troubles. Whether we have walked in conversation, silence, tears or laughter, there has always been an appreciation for the connection with nature and gratitude to experience the beauty of the natural world.

Walking at Winterthur has opened my heart to living life as I hope this web page does.

Yours,

Anne

Posted by: Anne