What was it that our fathers and our forefathers had that we don’t? What are those stories we hear, or joke about hearing. “I walked 50 miles to and from school, up hill both ways.” Or phrases like, “When I was your age we had to go visit the Post Office to call someone.” Or, “The things they have in the stores now-a-days. It’s a modern miracle.” Despite all, I feel that had something that we don’t really get enough of in modern society. They had sunlight.

So much of what modern society has brought us is convenience. That way it’s easier for people to work 60 hours a week indoors. They can just walk to the corner, or even within their own building and grab their lunch. Yet, we still have a society rife with phrases that emphasize a love of the natural environment. “A breath of fresh air,” is one of the most significant of these. Over the past 3 or 4 days, as I’ve had a chance to interact with my friends more I’ve learned that everyone misses the sun. Everyone wishes they had more time to be outdoors during the day.

Look at the increase in research on the need for vitamin D. The amount needed by humans only seems to increase with each newly published article. Why is there a wish for fresh cut flowers, or plants inside as well? So many people bring the outdoors inside if they can’t get enough on their own. Some people can have virtual gardens at their desk. Even those people who forget to water, or consistently over-water their plants keep buying new ones every once in a while.

I am convinced that one of the greatest things that our forefathers had was walking those “50 miles to and from school or work”. Everything was a bit slower as the technology and modern convenience of today hadn’t really kicked in. People simply had to spend more time outdoors each day, where they could do nothing but commute without Ipods or cellphones to keep them from getting bored. They had to breathe in the fresh air, and just think while walking to and from their errands. What a horrid prospect!

The Germans have a literary term that reflects on this idea. It’s called “Der Spaziergang.” It basically means, to go for a walk without a reason. In other words, to go for a walk without needing a destination, simply going for a walk to go on a walk. It’s represented in their literature in a variety of ways, but the idea is there.

Having the ability to do this now, to walk just for the sake of walking because of my self-employment, this is one of the most satisfying parts of my new life. It’s the one that I would envy others for. It’s the one that so many talk about wanting to do when at work. Having the flexibility and the ability to be outside.