This is how I turn a simple walk into a journey of introspection
It had been a long day at work. I wasn’t in a good mood for the most part of the day. If you were to ask me, it was really a lousy day. I needed a breather, so instead of rushing home after work, I decided to take a long stroll from my workplace to somewhere, I don’t know exactly where, but somewhere, all in the hope of escaping the routine.
My mind has been flooded with anxieties, upcoming deadlines, undone tasks, and endless problems coupled with the worldly noise, bustling cars, rumbling engines and squeaky brakes. As I step away from the crowded bus stop and away from the busy road, venturing into the backstreet toward the nature park, I begin to feel the crisp evening air, the songs of the birds returning from their hunt, and the gentle breeze whispering to the trees and leaves. “I am not in a rush!” A gentle voice whispered in my mind, reminding me to slow down. I took a momentary pause to take in a deep breath. My mind wants to explore a new path to embrace the subtleties of life and to savour the rare moment of solitude.
On this long stroll home, I get to reconnect with the earthly splendours, from witnessing hues of gold and orange sunset to listening to the symphony of wind and rattling leaves. The orchestra of scents, sights, and sounds of the world around me, things that normally go unnoticed, suddenly revealed itself when I slowed down to feel its pulse.
Nature has an inherent ability to soothe our souls and ignite a sense of wonder within. Through our innate feelings, we have the capacity to appreciate the beauty of life in its simplest form. We only need to know how to unlock our minds and senses. Once we can do that, we will naturally become more attuned to our surroundings.
We often find ourselves caught in the monotony of life, trapped in the hustle and bustle of our daily routines. We hurry from one task to another, hardly having the time to appreciate the things happening around us. We often forget we are living in paradise, forget that the best time to experience life is not tomorrow or the day after but now.
Behind my workplace is a nature park. It is a place I come to do my workout once in a while. It is not a big place, and it only takes a mere 20 minutes to walk through it. Going past the park, there is a quiet neighbourhood. It is an old estate filled with scenes of 70s Singapore. Elderly residents are a common sight in this neighbourhood. With their weathered faces and kind eyes, the people here moved at a pace that defied the hurried nature of the world I know. It was as if they had discovered the secret to embracing life's simple pleasures.
Along this unhurried path, the pace of life seemed to decelerate as if time itself had mellowed to a gentle stroll. The rhythmic sight of loving old couples pacing slowly and the soft murmurs of conversations among them, cherishing and savouring the company of each other seemingly undisturbed by the noise around. It brought a profound connection reminding me of the essence of life and age.
I am reminded that each one of us will eventually grow old, our youthful vigour replaced by the fragility of age. The burdens and stresses that weigh upon us today will become nothing more than wrinkles etched upon our faces in the years to come. Our relentless pursuit of success and the constant striving for material gain, however important we might think they are, will fade into insignificance as we confront the inevitable reality of our mortality.
Life, by the time we are old, is not measured by the amount of money we have accumulated or the possessions we have acquired. Rather, it is the number of loved ones who remain by our side, and whether or not we can still hold our spouse by their hand, patiently listening to their endless stories and laughter.
It is at this moment that I find solace, for it teaches me to cherish the present moment, to find joy in the simplest of pleasures, and to value the connections we forge with each other.
In the grand scheme of life, when the strength of our bodies wanes and our steps become slower, it is the presence of family, spouse and friends that provides us with the greatest comfort and fulfillment. The joy and laughter, the intimate stories, and the support received become the currency of a life well-lived.
In the twilight years, it is the richness of our connections and the depth of our relationships that bring true contentment and happiness. As we navigate the complexities of life, don’t overly pursue your ambitions and careers at the expense and sacrifice of marriage, family and friends. For, in the end, it is the love we give and receive that truly defines the success of life.
I was angry, lost and drained from my hectic workday, but through the solitude moment along this unhurried path, I experienced a unique journey where time seemed to slow, allowing me to take a peek into the future of a life well-lived. By immersing myself in the present moment out of my normal routine, I found myself living fully. Even though it was nothing more than an ordinary stroll, it was an epic journey to unlock the secret to a good life.
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