I have a lot of photographs of paths. And every one of them is unique. I especially like the paths which weave through forests and knowing, from Japanese research, that forest walks boost your body’s natural defences is just a bonus. I’d enjoy a forest walk even if it didn’t do that!
There’s something about turning your attention to the path which heightens your awareness of the here and now…..a bit like turning your attention to your breath, or to your feet whilst practising mindful walking.
In some ways paths are like rivers….the path is both the ground you walk on and at the same time it’s borders, or banks. The edges of the path are an important part of the path itself.
The garden of the house I’ve just bought is wild. It’s had minimal attention for many years so I’m going to have to spend some time reclaiming parts of it from thickets of brambles, vines, creepers and overgrown bushes. It’s not all like that I should add but a big enough part. I have a notion to create a bit of a forest garden there but, first of all, a bit of taming and path creation.
I guess most of the time in Life we follow paths already laid by others so there’s something special about starting out to make a path where none exists.
Any tips or suggestions?
Heroes Not Zombies 
Get rid of the big things first….things you know are weeds and such. Then live with the garden you uncover for a whole season from spring through fall to see what is growing that you can identify and what you want to keep. This gives you time to dream and plan. Of course you can also look for natural paths through your woods that critters have used. Then start taming them a bit and add natural plants to your woods in your region. Some tips from this gardener.
Thank you! Good advice! It’s an adventure, and it’s going to take patience!
Absolutely. An adventure I love.