This is a saying that I am sure that you have heard before. I am on a programme at the moment where one of the exercises is to experience ‘walking in the other persons moccasins’, and an interesting exercise this is too. Perhaps one we should all do periodically to appreciate the other persons perspective. As an additional exercise, I decided to walk a mile in my own moccasins as an experiment.
I walked around a racecourse intent on using my five senses, and concentrating on what was happening in the moment as I walked.
It is amazing what I noticed. My mind was focusing on what was going on around me – and I was working hard to stop my thoughts straying, or other thoughts coming to the surface of my mind and distracting me.
The smell in the air was fresh and of early spring evenings, the birds chirped away, people in the distance speaking, dogs barking, a distant train and traffic. I felt a slight wind on my back as I walked out of the trees, also a slight chill in the air. Soon I was again walking between the trees with their leaves rustling, the birds are still chirping, the background noise from the train and cars gone. As I reached the end of the racecourse to take the path along the river, I noticed the breeze change direction. The immediate impact was the sweet smelling sent from the trees – it smelt of rich clover honey. As I walked by the river, I soon heard a few canoes being paddled along relatively quietly, even though I could not see them. Then I noticed some rowers in an ‘eight’, their cox shouting as they picked up speed, with a speeding motorboat that has the rowing teacher in pursuit – clearly exceeding the speed limit on the river: so disrespectful, such a poor example.
I could hear swans in flight. That dull honking noise they make, the power of their wings as they beat the air. As they eventually rose above tree level, their random formation changed into an elegant V, and one could see the magnificence of these five powerful birds in flight heading into dusk.
Initially, I saw no one to speak to, on the second part I met a neighbour who was walking briskly too. Neither of us wishing to hold a long conversation as clearly dinner, and a threatening rain cloud attracted our attentions.
So what have I learnt? Well importantly I think I’ve learnt the ‘power of now’, to quote Eckhart Tolle. By being present in the moment and conscious of what I was sensing, I appreciated being present. I was very associated with experiences, and what was going on. Interestingly, at the very final part of the walk, just as I cross a car park, I realised that my thoughts had drifted into the tasks that I needed to complete by the end of the day – and the presence of the moment had been lost. So is it valuable to spend more time in the present moment? I think so, as now is all we have…..
My best wishes,
Peter
