The places in-between are places to pause
Mind wander
I try to honor the Take Back Your Time movement and that’s getting increasingly difficult in Traverse City. Everyone just seems hyperactive lately. Is it all the sunshine we’ve been getting?
It’s one reason why I enjoy walking to meetings & errands. It slows me down. Stretches time.
It’s also why I like pausing in public spaces. Loose rule: walking past a bench, one should sit, if only for a minute. When was the last time you honored this rule? Most of us don’t; I haven’t lately. Our thoughts are often on the next thing. The place we need to be. The task that needs doing. The big event.
This guy knows how to use a bench & how to recycle a water bottle. (Photo: Gary L Howe • Chengdu, 2009)
The places in-between
This mindset has major implications on how we perceive public space. Are the places in-between places to experience along the way? Or, are they places to blankly pass through? Most of the time, it’s the latter.
If we’re driving, we speed through them and see less. We experience the interior of a car and our heads. We go 35mph through neighborhoods.
If we are biking, we’re more in the moment, but it’s also a lot about the action; the cadence. It’s a little less about the place. Sometimes we miss what’s there. Not always though. I can bike pretty slow.
Taking the bus? Well, that’s interesting. It’s like stepping into a mobile place and taking a social gamble. Who will you meet? Could be a chance for conversation. It could be a chance to look out the window. It could just be a convenient way to get somewhere.
When walking, the mind wanders, for certain. But, we also don’t miss much of our surroundings. On the mile walk I frequently take to NMC, I always see something I haven’t seen before. Walking is what we are cognitively created to do well. It’s a shame that the average American won’t consider walking a trip that’s more than 10 minutes away (.25 mile).
Where am I going with this?
Nowhere really. Time for a rest. Another loose rule: Cancel something everyday. Doesn’t have to be something big, but can be. Just cancel it.
That all said, if you do get out this week, here are a few events to consider:
- Wednesday April 21: Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy open house, pleasure walks and Old Mission bike ride (PDF). Action starts early at 8:30 AM. For the bike ride, RSVP to Lee for directions to start location 929-7911.
- Saturday April 24: Earth day parade with the lovely theme of “Pedal Power”. Noon at Central Elementary. Dress that bike up!
- Saturday morning: The community compost & seedling giveaway. 8AM at farmers market.
- Anything else? Have more information? Please leave a comment.
__
What are you canceling today?
___
Please subscribe to this BLOG’s feed and pass this link on to a friend.
my own early morning status update on one social networking site today was “slow down !”
thanks for these thoughts. it’s a constant struggle… but a worthy one !
Excellent food for thought, Gary. Thanks for the reminder! In addition to tomorrow’s events, the Conservancy is also having a work-bee at Arcadia Dunes on Saturday. Trails, trees, clean-up and dune restoration are all on the docket and we need about 200 helpers! But…the payoff of enjoying surroundings that you’ve had a hand in stewarding is pretty darn amazing. Picnic lunch on top of Old Baldy, anyone? Just email Lee! lee@gtrlc.org
One of these days I need to get out to the Arcadia Dunes…can’t do this Saturday though–thanks to everyone who will be sprucing it up! Thanks also for the reminder, Jennifer.
Another way to slow things down: walk behind little kids, they have a brilliant ability to slow down –although the do tend to ride their bikes a little fast… Thanks for all the information Gary, nice work.
Thanks for the reminder about the compost! I couldn’t remember if it was Saturday or Sunday.