We are drilled on efficiency and productivity. I was a “GTDer” for some time—Getting Things Done (David Allen).
That begs a question, What do we miss by dashing from one focus to the next all day?
When I exercise in the morning, I quit running but I walk as fast as I can for about 40 minutes before tackling the rest of my fitness routine.
In the afternoon, however, I like to just wander outside. Look for birds and muskrats and trees and other people. There is a phrase in French called being a flȃneur. A flȃneur strolls and observes without a plan. I like going into downtown Chicago to just stroll and look at people and things. One of my favorite philosophers these days, Nassim Nicholas Taleb, calls what he does and writes about the results of being a flȃneur.
In fact there exists a management philosophy called Management By Walking Around. This is called Gemba Walk in Lean Manufacturing. There is a rich history to getting off your chair and moving.
Sometimes we get into such a rush we have no time to think and observe.
Do you have a problem you are thinking about? Looking for an insight into a spiritual teaching that just isn’t coming into focus? Take a walk. Be a flȃneur for a bit. Insights will come to you. Better have your little Field Notes or Moleskin notebook or iPhone to take notes. Preparation will pay off.
Faith Venture 
Leave a comment