Boots - we make the road by walking
I just bought myself a new pair of hiking boots. I'm going walking somewhere with and in them but at this point I’m not entirely sure about where or when that will be :) All I know is that without them I won’t be able to go wherever it is that I’m heading, which is currently in my dreams and imagination. On one level these boots are metaphorical conveying a message that goes beyond their literal meaning that by having something tangible I will be inspired to move forward and make my dreams a reality. They also speak to me on a philosophical plane that all of life is in fact a journey, and on the other hand they are a real invitation into my next actual walking adventure. (Also they cost me a couple of hundred dollars so they are not staying in their box!)
These boots are made for walking, and for the adventure to begin I have to put them on my feet and head out the front door. And in order for them to fulfil their purpose of supporting and carrying me across whatever terrain lies before me, I have to start walking in them now. It’s time to prepare for the journey that at this point in time neither has a travel path, plane ticket or a destination in sight, although I have a sneaking suspicion it will entail forest tracks, river crossing and mountain passes (just small ones), and probably another long pilgrim walk.
Boots can be your best friend or your worst enemy, it all depends on the preparation. The best way to break in a pair of hiking boots is to walk around 100km in them before you head off into the wild blue yonder or through the green thicket. So being winter, and often raining, my new waterproof and sturdy soled boots have become my choice for walking in the next few months to come.
A few years ago a friend & I took on ‘Pilgrim’ status, and walked across Spain on the Camino to Santiago. I had heard that two of the most important things to consider in preparation for this walk were the care of your feet; namely your choice of socks and comfort of footwear, and knowledge of the strength of your bodily frame in order to carry on your back what was necessary for the journey and survival. So before we left I walked 150 km's in my old boots, which had accompanied me on other hiking adventures but none as far as this upcoming long walk across Spain. I wanted to know that they (we) were up for it although I had a sneaking suspicion that this might be their final trip, that their hiking days were coming to an end. It’s hard hanging up boots.
But these old boots supported me well and with the addition of good socks I was able to celebrate the fact that I had no blisters throughout the 350km pilgrimage. However the second toes on both feet did develop a painful reaction that I now know was due to the boots being just a little too snug (even though comfy), the downhill traversing forcing them against the top of the boots. Long story short, when I got home I lost both of the nails from those toes, and long story short part 2, I chose my new boots a half size bigger than my usual size with my toes in mind and in order for them to have wiggle room. They deserve to be happy.
I’m really excited about these new boots and keen for the journeys we will walk together over the coming years. It’s amazing how inspired I am since making this purchase but I’m also not in a hurry, knowing that the preparation is paramount at this point. In saying that I have already put myself on the road just by dreaming of the possibilities.
To borrow a phrase from 19th century German Philosopher Friedrick Nietzsche,
‘There is no way. We make the road by walking’ *
My not knowing where I’m heading in these boots has helped me come to realise that I don’t really know where I’m going in life in general, not really. I have some hopes and dreams of course but what I am learning, especially as I consider this idea of Neitzsche’s is that where I end up will be determined by the ‘how’ I get there. My daily task is to put one foot in front of the other and see what the road gifts me. The destination becomes the journey itself, which even though is no new revelation, it is a reminder and invitation to the preparation. The choices I make today will determine my tomorrow. In living this way I don’t have to worry about what’s over there, rather trust in the path that I’m currently on, be true to myself and just put one foot in front of the other.
Perhaps this daily journey is more critical than we realise. To languish present moments away by worrying about tomorrow, or conversely by adopting a ‘c’est la vie’ attitude that has no sense of tomorrow are both unhelpful ways to live. No, my part to play in arriving at my destination is in taking responsibility for each and every moment that I live in the now. where a ‘carpe diem’- sieze the day attitude holds more wisdom.
‘The way is the destination | The destination is the Way.’
To live this way takes a bit of focussed presence, patience, mindfulness, contemplation, and a bit of day dreaming about a hopeful destination thrown in along the way won’t hurt. But let’s not waste the moments that we actually have been given. Put your socks and boots on. Lace them up securely and make sure they fit well. Wiggle your toes, smile, greet the day and head out the front door, putting your best foot forward. Let today be your destination.
In closing, and likely influenced by Neitzsche, here’s a poem that encapsulates the invitation to a slow and curious journey…
“Wanderer, your footsteps are the road and nothing more; wanderer, there is no road, the road is made by walking. Walking makes the road and turning to look behind you see the path that you will never tread again. *
So, and in the words of the Spanish greeting that we so often heard on our to Way to Santiago…
”Buen Camino | Good Way”!
title borrowed from Neitzsche
poem by Antonio Machado, 1875 - 1939