… and not be thrown off the track by every nutshell and mosquito’s wing that falls on the rails. Let us rise early and fast, or break fast, gently and without perturbation; let company come and let company go, let the bells ring and the children cry,—determined to make a day of it. Why should we knock under and go with the stream? Let us not be upset and overwhelmed in that terrible rapid and whirlpool called a dinner, situated in the meridian shallows.
– From Walden by Henry David Thoreau, ch. 2. Read for free on Project Gutenberg.
I always return to Walden. I’m aware it portrays an idealistic vision of living life in the industrial world – and one even Thoreau could not achieve, despite his curmudgeonly insistence on it all.
It feels more absurd today. This was a tough week, especially.
I’m OK with five minutes in nature. A few minutes outside, enjoying the rustling leaves and sunshine. If I can swing more, I do.