One of the beautiful walks on Cape Ann is a short one, around a reservoir known as Goose Cove. Truth be told, I’ve never seen geese in the fresh water reservoir, only in the saltwater Cove itself. In the reservoir: ducks, yes, seagulls, yes, geese not yet. Having recently come home from a trip that included a visit to Plum Village in France, we practiced our mindful walking today around the water, in the leafy shade. One foot in front of the other, each step a step of peace, or so we hope. And we remembered the lovely serene face of Thich Nhat Hanh, as he taught in this year’s Summer Retreat, saying gently, with every step, “I have arrived” Step, “I am home.” Step, “in the here,” “in the now.”

“You have an appointment with life,” he said. Today.

http://plumvillage.org/mindfulness-practice/walking-meditation/