The Wonders of a Simple Walk

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So much can happen on a simple, task-related walk. I had a mission and it involved chocolate (Chocolove, strong dark 70% cocoa content for the zealots. It’s right here beside me).

Tonight I was trying to write and the cylinders were not firing, so I decided to shift the energy and take a walk to get some Chocolove. Then the Wonder started to happen. It’s the same wonder that’s always present but is more noticeable at certain times than others. Everything was alive and vibrating. The road was busy with cars, cyclists and buses – people in pursuit of home, dinner, something. Looking to the west I could see the last bit of glow from the sun that was now bringing on a new day in other parts of the world. Then my attention was drawn to a bright shooting star making its expiring decent. Soon after, I passed the Walking Woman – everyday the woman in the purple jacket, fisherman’s hat and backpack walks this road. It’s a bit like passing a minor celebrity. Where does she live and what does she do? Anytime I am on the bus or riding my bike I see her walking.

As I approached the store’s parking lot, I mazed my way through the cars while other vehicles vied for empty spots. I felt like ringing a victory bell as I entered the market’s sliding glass door. When I see a parking lot, I don’t just see parked cars. I see millions of dollars worth of metal and rubber and components. I envision more millions of people who work in the factories producing those cars. I imagine the cargo ships moving across the ocean transporting these errand runners. And it all came together in this moment in this lot. As I stood amid these cars I thought, it was so simple. I just walked here under my own power. And I didn’t need an industrial complex product to get me here. I was giddy and I hadn’t even found the chocolate yet.

As soon as I entered the store, I saw two employees happily bonding while stocking a shelf. When I asked where the Chocolove Bars were located, they answered at the same time, elated to point the way. We three were very happy. The people waiting in line to check out seemed happy to be waiting. (The only one not happy was our checker-person, but it was ok as someone in the Wonder Story had to play the sad person.)

I then zigzagged my way back through the parking lot, this time in awe of the loudness of the horn honking at the person who must’ve owned the parking lot since he was sitting in his car talking on his phone, in the way of others wanting to leave. That really did make me curious, but mostly I was entertained at his boldness.

The wonder continued on my walk home. A runner passed me. So did a cyclist and I was aware that we were all moving forward on our own volition. Our legs were working properly. We were breathing. It was so utterly simple and efficient. I walked faster just because I could. I was going home and it was comfortable and there was food there. I was completely satisfied and grateful.

And I wondered in that moment what the rising sun revealed on the other side.