Walking Alone

Walking Alone

I will be honest about this. The result from the EU referendum vote last week has put me into a feeling of despair. It feels like a bereavement. I don't know how to act, I feel I need time to digest the information and space in which to do it.

On the day, I felt numb with grief. I didn't know what to do, so I went to a favourite place in nature that I know well and contemplated my lot. I walked up the Salt Way alone for once. It is normally at this time of year that I lead a ceremonial procession up, along this way, followed by others to celebrate Midsummer with a small fire, sharing blessings, gratitude and hope for the future.

The Salt Way path

But this time I was alone; the path was much narrower than normal as the farmer had just cleared a tiny path through which made me feel smaller than I was, as the barley grew tall, rising up either side of me and creating a cosy, safe little way up to the top of the hill. This was just what I needed, a slow walk, barefoot up the slope, watching the crop sway in the wind, bending this way and back, listening to its swish, noting that as I walked the car noise became less, or at least less noticeable to me as I walked slowly, mindfully up to the top of the ridge and sat down.

Towards the top of the ridge.

This time sitting by myself but in the trace of the ring that we have created up there after all these years. The trace may be just be in my mind as a memory; fragments of memories that I treasure of those past fire ceremonies, but I felt connected to that spot, that place and started to look out to the distant horizons and relax.

Sitting, looking out.

Surrounded by waving grasses and meadow flowers.

As I looked out, over and into nature, my breathing became more conscious. I was sitting amongst tall swaying grasses and shorter meadow flowers with flying insects busy overhead and other insect life scurrying past my feet. Seagulls flew higher, over the undulating landscape, taking a straight path to their destination. My perspective on life and the beings living in it grew bigger.

The bigger picture and a tiny flying insect.

I knew it was time to retrace my steps back home when I no longer felt the fear in my belly but a pure delight and gratitude for being 'right here, right now'.

I still don't know how this 'Brexit' situation can be sorted, there doesn't seem to be any plan, but I know that my plan is to walk daily, to be outside in nature more, to connect with other like-minded persons and enjoy the here and now.

The path will become clear.

All will be well.

For another artists view on the EU referendum, look at the blog of Jackie Morris, her entry 'A rock and a hard place', 28/6/16,  it reads beautifully.

For your information, my next Netwalking event is on the 8th of July 2016.

 Please call or text me on 07432679164 or clare@people-to-place.co.uk