Brugge, Belgium

On Wandering

As should be expected from my present scenario, many of my recent stray thoughts have turned toward the subject of wandering. Most of these considerations have risen specifically during times of overtly directionless wandering, which I feel only further strengthens my belief that such activity is occasionally beneficial, if not extremely important.

This entry isn't really going to be about anywhere.



I haven't planned much for this trip. The few things I did try to plan have either been completely scrapped and remapped, or presented themselves as unfortunately rigid self-imposed obstacles that had to be overcome.

What I have consciously realized is the following: If I walk, a path will present itself.

Be it through intervention and suggestion of the people I meet on my way, or simple internal inclination towards a particular direction, a route is always formed. Truly, not a day has passed that I didn't at least have some sense of where I was likely to head next, while absolving considerations of any destinations beyond the immediate.

I'm going on my first month like this. It really seems to work.



Two points beyond that. First point - it works on any scale. Choosing which country to place next on the itinerary functions the same as deciding whether to take a left or a right while strolling a nameless avenue that didn't make the map. If knowledge has been acquired, consider it. Then move in the direction that feels best, regardless of anything else. If this changes established plans, welcome the change.

Second point - it works better than anything else. As I mentioned, the plans I tried to make ended up just getting in the way. Trying to anticipate the future never works, and only prevents me from getting the most out of the current moment.

The further benefits of this methodology are probably obvious - really noticing details because of sufficient time, never getting bored because leaving is always an option, resolving stress when it appears, and most importantly - discovering secrets. I could spend an entire entry on how aimless wandering has bettered my trip thus far... but I don't feel like going in that direction right now.



There's more to consider on the subject, but there's my current mental state.

The universe itself is already perfect. As one diminishes personal 'doing', one diminishes all those actions committed against that natural harmony which lead us away from clarity and peace.

Ha look, now I'm a Taoist.



Oh yeah, Brugge was totally awesome. My favorite city since I left Iceland (sigh). And it was real pretty, just like in that movie - Ocean's Ten, right?