I’ve just returned home after taking Bella for a walk into the field. I didn’t feel like it, my body protested with every step but Bella needed it. And it turns out so did I.
I’m exceptionally fortunate to have acres of open fields opposite my front door. There are plenty of entrances and paths between fields that allow the walk to be as short or as long as I’m capable of. I got back from my fortnightly job centre appointment, grabbed Bella and headed straight off.
It’s sunny here today, though what we British call a winter sun – paired with a biting wind to push you onwards.
It was beautiful. The low sun glistened off the blades of grass, still wet from earlier rain. I wore a coat, undone, with a thin tee so I could feel the wind whipping against my skin and through my hair. A gentle reminder that I am alive and still able to experience the privilege of nature. Taking deep lungfuls of the fresh, unpolluted air that smells of rain, wet mud and trees.
I found an area that was mostly dried by the sun. A perfect spot for me to kick off my boots and socks and feel ground and the grass beneath my feet. All the while watching Bella. In her element, kicking up as much grass as she could, with her huge toothy smile and her face turned up to the sun. A quick sniff and scout until she found another patch of long grass to kick up as she’s always felt is her duty.
I even got to watch a low flying Hercules, which from my angle was dusting the tops of the trees a few fields along. Listening to it hum alongside the birds signing soprano from the surrounding trees. Hearing dogs bark off in the distance, out of sight. Acknowledging in that moment that the whole field around me was just mine and Bellas. A great open expanse of beautiful greens and ambers all to ourselves.
My blog can get a bit dark as are many of my days. But I wanted to share this walk with my readers, and my future self. A gentle reminder that you need only step into nature to feel deeply cleansed of whatever burdens you. Even if only for a short while. A moment where you feel alive and vibrant, the energy of the sun and the wind doing it’s very best to feed your soul. You’d be surprised how grounded kicking your boots off can feel too, once you get passed the thought that a dog has almost certainly peed on the grass you’re wriggling your toes in. Push that thought aside and just breathe deeply of the fresh, unpolluted air and know that in that moment you are safe, you are ok and you are surrounded by things, and Bellas, to be grateful for. I watch how carefree and present Bella is in these moments and I will always try to practice the same.
Today wasn’t a walk. Today was a meditation.