Walking by Thoreau - Reflection

After class today I decided to go sit somewhere and journal about Thoreau. It was my favorite class so far and I think that Thoreau could be my favorite writer that we encounter. I did realize during me reading, however, that Thoreau’s writing is extremely dense and that I must take it piece by piece so my brain does not hurt. One of my favorite quotes by Thoreau comes from Walking, a lecture and essay that he considers “a sort of introduction to all that I may write hereafter.” The quote from Walking is, “If you are ready to leave father and mother, and brother and sister, and wife and child and friends, and never see them again,--if you have paid all your debts, and made your will, and settled all your affairs, and are a free man, then you are ready for a walk.” The walk that Thoreau is referring to can also be called a “spiritual quest.” He argues that we must get out in wild nature and experience it. I can relate to this feeling when I find myself out in nature. Although I myself have never been on a spiritual quest, I find myself viewing life in simple terms when I am in both the tranquility and excitement of nature. I do, however, feel a need to go on a quest in the future. Perhaps after graduation next summer. I think I feel this need because I will soon be attending graduate school, where I will be tested to my limits as a student. I believe this spiritual quest will not only help me relax before I begin another four year journey, but also help me remember the “why” behind my reasoning for attending graduate school in the first place. I want to go on this quest because someday I will find myself in the very nine to five job that Thoreau so fiercely criticizes. If not now then I may be unable to pursue such an endeavor until retirement.  

I feel like in a way I have been looking for some sort of quest. I originally planned to train for a half marathon, but decided to sign up for a full marathon on February 16^th, 2020. I think my need for a quest led me to this decision. Miles and miles will be run in preparation, which will give me time to think about my own accomplishments so far in life, but also what I still need to work on. This will be my first running race of any kind and I am excited not only to cross the finish line, but also for transformative process involved in the preparation. This contradicts Thoreau’s spiritual quest in some ways because of the physical aspects, but what I’ve found is that body and spirit go hand in hand and both are required to accomplish a marathon. I didn't take a picture on my first day of training, but I ran down Trinity Trails with some of friends that want to train with me. This begins my quest.