August 22, 2008
By Josh Brollier, Witness Against War
There is something undeniably therapeutic about walking. Just outside of Lacrosse a psychologist joined our walk for a day and described how it was her practice to take a leisurely stroll with patients during sessions. As we walked along the bike path later that day, I was thinking that if just twice a week we ventured out into the quiet space of nature that surrounds our cities and homes, then the world might be a very different place.
We left Chicago just over five weeks ago with a core group of fifteen walkers and I quickly felt as if these fellow sojourners were lifelong friends. We have heard each other’s stories, laughed at each other’s ridiculous jokes, and we have born each other’s burdens. Though the number of our caravan has fluctuated, each person that comes into the circle brings a unique history, personality, and depth of life experience. Walking two by two gives you the chance to try to really understand each person and to love them right where they are in life’s greater journey.
Anyone that knows me very well realizes that I have been going through a particularly turbulent time in my life. This mobile community of friends has helped to heal some of the wounds that existed before they even had the chance to turn into scars. I have been very grateful for the open ears and the encouragement that has been so generously extended. The Witness Against War crew has also challenged me to exercise my talents, sharpened my resolve, and they have given me an excellent model for dealing with life’s struggles.
Walking has also appeared to be rejuvenating for the communities we have passed through. Many day walkers came out and joined us and then decided that they wanted to keep walking as long as possible. They shared their homes and hospitality with us. They shared with us the successes and the failures that their communities have faced in building peace and justice. They shared their lives.
As our path has been taking us toward the RNC to speak out against the “symphony of destruction,” many communities and towns have been almost anxiously longing for a direction that will lead our world towards healing.
We have not claimed to know the answer, but maybe part of the solution lies in walking- getting out of our houses and apartments and meeting with our sisters and brothers face to face- listening- organizing- resisting the temptation to bury our heads in the sand- resisting the temptation to put our faith in politicians and a system that has consistently lied to us- risking failure - admitting mistakes- loving unconditionally- working for no monetary reward- searching for the truth- acting boldly in response.
These are just a few suggestions, and they would look different for each person and community. I hope we can all visibly walk and physically move towards our goals of a more sustainable, equitable, and compassionate world.
