Sun, sea and clouds, walking in the present moment, with all my senses alert.

When I arrived in Spain, a friend told me, ‘The sun is brighter there,’ and he was absolutely right; but what’s more, the sun is friendlier too, walks are very pleasant both in winter and in summer when the sun is out.

But it’s not just the sun that makes walking pleasant; above all, it’s the sea and the sky. Have you ever looked up at the sky whilst walking? I do it all the time. Sometimes the sky is a brilliant blue; other times it has gradations of colour; and at other times, the sea foam of the sky, the clouds, draw near as you reach the end of a walk, as happened to me on this walk.

It sounds poetic, but that’s how it is for me. I often talk about walks as a way to achieve peace of mind and tranquillity, to solve problems and relieve stress. I feel that, with every step, I leave behind any thoughts that shouldn’t be there and focus on the beautiful things around me, especially nature.

Walks along the seashore or on the promenade are ideal for focusing on the present, leaving the past behind and not thinking about the future, you’re simply here in the present, and that’s thanks to paying attention to your senses.

A friend of mine called Mariano used to tell me that the sun shines brighter here; perhaps it’s down to the country’s location, but it’s true, the sky is a deep blue, and seeing it in person is not the same as seeing it in photos. The difference I notice is simply enormous.

Here, the sense of sight is very much present: in the sun, its brilliance, the way it touches things, the blue of the sky and the sea, the white of the clouds that might peek through, and the shades of green in the vegetation that surrounds me at every step. The colours, I always pay attention to the colours. What’s more, on every walk I always come across art, especially in the beach changing rooms; it’s amazing how the local council takes care of every detail.

It is our senses that allow us to be in the here and now, take hearing, for example, and how important that is to me. Not just for listening to what people say or listening to music, but for appreciating the sound of the waves, the breeze brushing past me, the birdsong and even the laughter of children; on every walk along the beach, I’m always treated to these wonders.

But the sense of touch is also important on this walk: the sun caressing my skin, the feel of the water, warm or cold, as the case may be,and the texture of the foam or the sand as I walk; that is the most relaxing thing in the world. It is our senses that make us appreciate the present moment.

Trying to shut out the hustle and bustle, put it all in a box and focus solely on nature; smelling the sea, that scent that brings back memories and which, when I find myself on beaches far from the tourist crowds, can be truly appreciated, the smell of salt, perhaps, or simply the smell of the sea. Bringing all the senses together is a wonderful experience, combined with walking step by step.

Being able to stand still in one spot amidst the sand and look around as if nothing else existed. Gazing at the neighbourhood houses in the distance, the sea nearby, the horizon, the sun shining, feeling the sand beneath my feet and the cool water.

The secret to achieving that peace of mind is to think of nothing and simply feel the present; that moment is all we have, the past is gone and we cannot know the future for certain.

Those moments of peace of mind that we create especially for ourselves are what allow the mind to switch off, so it can rest and recharge its batteries to face the reality of our own lives. That’s what I’ve learnt, and it’s helped me; that’s why every walk is so special.

Thank you very much for joining me on this Wednesday walk; I send you my warmest regards. See you soon.
Amonet.

All photographs are my own.