A lush forest road

Guest Blog Post: “Walking in the Forest is Good for My Soul,” in Denzil Walton’s exact words

Posted on by da-AL

When I (da-AL) happened upon Belgian blogger Denzil’s lovely site, I could hardly believe it — I was the first to comment there! Yes, it is new, but it so beautifully filled with joy and heart that I doubt it will remain a secret for long …

A lush forest road
Photo by Denzil Walton

I know that walking in my local forest is good for my body. It’s good for my heart – it gets the blood flowing. It’s good for my lungs – it gets the air circulating. It’s good for my muscles – it tones them up.

But good for the soul?

Surely, to refresh my spirit I should head towards my local church or cathedral, not to my local forest?

autumn view of tree lined lake
Photo by Denzil Walton

Don’t get me wrong: if you like to visit a magnificent cathedral to get a spiritual lift, that’s fine. You might be enthralled by the architecture and the stained glass windows. You might be impressed by the flower arrangements. You might marvel at the beautiful sounds of a choir. All of these things might lift your soul and help you see the glory and wonder of the divine – whatever name you give it.

However, for myself, my cathedral is my local forest, with the enormous trunks of ancient beech and oak trees rising up and over my head. With its canopy of green leaves forming the roof. Instead of stained glass windows, I see the delicately painted wings of butterflies and dragonflies. Instead of bouquets and vases of cultivated flowers, I see wild celandines, wood anemones and foxgloves. My choir consists of the sweet warbling of the blackcap, the drumming of a black woodpecker, the bark of the roe deer.

gorgeous forest view from park bench
Photo by Denzil Walton

And just as you might enter a cathedral and experience a touch of heaven, I walk in a forest and experience the wonder of creation. And it lifts my spirits.

I’m not one for New Year’s Resolutions. Actually, if you read one of my blog posts, I even recommend postponing them to Spring!

But if you are into resolutions, here’s one you might like to consider.

Resolve to visit your local forest regularly throughout the year – maybe once a week or month. Experience its peace and beauty. Take time to stop and look at the wild flowers. Listen to the birds.

I am sure you will come out with a refreshed and rejuvenated spirit.

Denzil Walton blogs on walking and cycling in Belgium at Discovering Belgium. His new blog is called Life Sentences, which he describes as “random, positive and life-affirming musings on various topics and experiences.”

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Published by da-AL

Happiness Between Tails speaks to and from the heart. It connects lovers — of pets, authors, books — and of my still-unreleased novels, “Flamenco + the Sitting Cat” and “Tango + the Sitting Cat.” The stories are my love letters to all who fear they're too odd, too damaged, too old, too whatever to find happiness. ContactdaAL@gmail.com • BuyMeACoffee.com/SupportHBT

68 thoughts on “Guest Blog Post: “Walking in the Forest is Good for My Soul,” in Denzil Walton’s exact words”

  1. Denzil – I love this post.

    ” Instead of stained glass windows, I see the delicately painted wings of butterflies and dragonflies. Instead of bouquets and vases of cultivated flowers, I see wild celandines, wood anemones and foxgloves. My choir consists of the sweet warbling of the blackcap, the drumming of a black woodpecker, the bark of the roe deer” – .Beautiful!

    Liked by 3 people

  3. Forests are magical, they are like sanctuaries, where you are one with nature, you can connect and feel a part of something bigger. The scent of the forest is intoxicating, and invigorating, the sounds of birds and insects, rustling leaves, and a stream is like a natural amphitheater that stirs the soul.

    Liked by 5 people

      1. Danzil, you are so welcome. I have known that feeling. It can be hard to explain, but your post brought some of that back to me, and I needed that as it is winter here and cold. Not a lot of green.

        Liked by 2 people

  4. Hi Daal, I have just discovered that I have been making comments with the Gravatar from my other site, so all your friendly commenters have been signing up for that site and not Life Sentences! Ah the frustration! Never mind. I have fixed it now. So hopefully any new commenters will be able to easily find my new site, which you have been kindly promoting! Cheers, Denzil

    Liked by 2 people

      1. It’s no big deal Daal, and thanks for your offer of help. It’s worth remembering if you should start up a new blog, to have separate emails, and open them on separate web browsers. Otherwise WP only recognizes one and sends all interested parties to subscribe just to that one.

        Liked by 3 people

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