Many Walks and a little Reading to help with the World today, by Shelley Hopkins

Many walks and a little reading to help with the world today

 

One day the dog and I took our recycling to the local park, followed by a walk. Last time I walked here I was disappointed, basically circling ball parks. This time I followed a dirt road away from the park, and found a new neighborhood under construction. The roads were paved, all the land was exposed clay and white pipes stuck up where houses would go. We walked along the paved roads, and I tried without luck to keep the dog out of the wet red clay. All around the cleared neighborhood were fields of tall brown waving grasses, and trees further out. This had once been farmland. I looked in the distance and saw a large white bird, an egret, lift off and fly away.  There must be a pond in that direction. Just a few minutes later about 6 geese flew overhead, honking and flying in their V shape. I turned to look for the pond. One of the neighborhood roads leads toward the water, but stopped before reaching it. I wonder if the pond will be part of the neighborhood property. I wonder if the clean water will be affected by the development. If it were my project I would create a walking path around the pond and keep some of the land natural for the neighbors to enjoy. I turned back to retrace my steps and noticed a farm house, with the construction barriers almost in his backyard, and dust on his windows. 

Another day I walked on a paved sidewalk around Delano Park, originally built in 1887. The park has a large rose garden circled with old stone walls, and large green spaces. A playground is nestled in developed natural areas, with large stones, cypress trees and native grasses. The park is surrounded by old homes, and has a deep historical feel. This park has been part of our town since before the depression. I read it used to have a swimming pool, now filled in and used as a practice field for the school marching band. I also walked down one of the side streets, and enjoyed looking at yards and porches.  Later in the week the dog and I walked several times in my neighborhood area, and at least once we walked along the farms and rural roads on the outside of our section of homes. When there is little traffic I enjoy this walk a lot. One day it rained, it poured, and the dog and I chose to walk anyway. I had on a raincoat and the dog shook water off her body several times. The wind was high, and the leash vibrated. We had so much rain to fall one of our neighbors was living on an island. This area of Alabama is so flat we sometimes have drainage problems, and this day it was very obvious. I enjoyed the sound of the rain falling, the misty skies and puddles, but it was also cold. We were glad to return home and dry off. 

My focus these two weeks has been the great books I read. First was Cloud Atlas, a very strange but enjoyable set of stories that all together develop a theme.  People may live in challenging times, and it seems there are always people that want to subjugate others, to lift themselves up by pushing down groups that are different. Bad decisions can be made from hatred, fear, lack of interest, desire of money and power and the idea that the “others” are not like “them.”  Happily the book ends on a promising note, as a main character decides to turn his life completely around and begin working as an abolitionist, against the evils of slavery. The idea of the stories, that seem to be unconnected at first, is that individuals can and do make a difference, even when it seems unlikely. I can’t think of a more positive point of view.  I also read a Louis Penny book, the 19th story in her series of mysteries. I love her writing, and also her messages. Again, individual people trying to do right, and do good, to make the best choices in different circumstances, even when these choices seem futile, can make a difference. Sometimes the person standing up for what is right, or for the weak, that person may not even see the effects of his or her choice, but that does not negate the good that has been done. Do what is right, treat others well regardless of their situations, and the world will be a better place. Encourage our better natures, our compassion and never stop trying. It’s like going on a long walk, the miles seem relentless and the distance reaching away, but every step, even the incremental tiny step moves you closer. It may not feel like the walker is getting closer to the goal, but they are. And, such a beautiful journey on the way. The walk is worth it, the land you travel through is of value, and the way you interact with the trail, the other hikers, makes all the difference.

These two weeks I walked 15.28 miles. It would be easy to say, how few miles I am covering in such a long time, but if I gave up and decided it wasn’t worth trying, I would not have walked any miles. Don’t give up, fight for the good, for what is right, and keep walking forward. Every step counts, every encouraging word helps, every resistance to cruelty, it all helps.