My Walden Pond, Victoria, Australia

(Click image to enlarge)

For a period of two years and two months, American transcendentalist writer Henry David Thoreau lived free from the distractions of complex society on the edge of Walden Pond. His 1854 book "Walden; or, Life in the Woods" is a reflection on this personal experiment. It is an exploration of self-reliance, the relationship between humanity and nature, the value of a simple life, and the spiritual significance of nature. The lessons he learned then are as valuable now, even if we don't live in the woods beside a pond.

Since the 1850s our lives have become much more complex. Having a place to experience nature in solitude and peace is nearly as important to me as having air or food. Since childhood on a rural Ohio farm I have always managed to find a place nearby to walk, think, experience and explore nature, and disconnect from the frenzy of the outside world. This keeps me almost sane.

Our last move meant a change of city, country, and hemisphere. Our home hunting had to be done by family members who asked in advance for a list of requirements. I wasn't very concerned about the house, but I was very concerned about finding "Some green space nearby where I can walk". That was literally the only item I put on our list. I had no idea how it would be interpreted or the ultimate importance it could be given among countless other necessary considerations, but I did try to stress that it was really important.

The above photograph shows where I begin most of my walks these days. It's my Walden Pond, "some green space nearby where I can walk", and a place that brings me contentment for which I am continually grateful.