A Walk

On Monday I took an afternoon walk under a pale and soothing winter sun. It was random and directionless—traits of the best walks.

Near the end of my walk I loitered in the Saint Louis Citygarden, a sculpture park just a few blocks from the arch. I sat on a stone bench as the afternoon sun warmed my left cheek. I listened as a steady wind rustled the remaining leaves that hung from the skeletal tree branches around me. The rustling sound was indistinguishable from the sound of water crashing into a pool, which emanated from a nearby artificial waterfall.

On a granite wall, kids climbed and danced; their movements were random and unrehearsed. A few families walked through the winding paths in the park and I found myself calmed enough to consider not returning to my apartment until nightfall.

Loitering is one of the best acts one can do, I think. Just sit and look. Time immediately slows. Nervous tics eventually halt. Anxiety plummets.

Since when is it a sin to be still, but a virtue to rush? Note that both Jesus and Buddha taught the opposite.

Some of my best memories of life in China involved simple wandering, either with company or alone.

Today, I hope we stray from the beaten path and get lost on a walk.