Here is a picture of the High Level Bridge in Edmonton, you can just see it above the light colored bridge. It IS high. Walking across this bridge to-day I heard myself silently singing "I'll take the high road and you'll take the low road....etc" Being up high does seem to nurture a lightness of spirit. (Could a reader give us a references for that song)? I returned to keeping my mind in gear as the cyclists share the same path as the pedestrians and the bikers travel fast. While the sun still shines, and the snow has not started to fly, I am taking the opportunity to get out and about and take the air when responsibilities allow.
The priory is close to a main north-south road, the bus service is good and somebody donated a bus pass for October which has come in handy. Last winter I had the loan of a car and I'd thought not having one this year would be an obstacle to getting business done. In actual fact not having one has proved, so far, to be a positive thing. Years ago, in the 1970's, I sold my car and traveled by bicycle, a ten speed touring one. At first it was a bit of a wrench however there we plus sides too. It was liberating to be able to use the cycle lanes in heavy city traffic and get to work faster, to not have to be concerned with finding a parking space and, for long trips, the advantage of taking the bike on the train for free. Now I find that foot and bus travel brings me directly in contact with the 'heart-beat' of the place and people. That is good.
The other evening one of the people, a person, who comes (on foot) to meditate here said something simple, yet inspiring. Here it is, "I came to it myself-that accepting, 'whatever' (physical pain, emotions, my present circumstances), doesn't mean liking it!" Simple yet true. Yesterday he came in the door of the priory with a 17 pound bag of bird seed in his arms. I thought he had carried it ten blocks, but he hadn't. He had asked a friend for help and he'd got a ride (a lift as we say in Britain). So, acceptance has an active side to it too. Right?
Back to the High Level Bridge for a moment for the people (person) who is mad about trains. There is a rare chance, during the summer months, to ride across the bridge on rails. Interestingly, if you follow that link, you'll see what the weather is like here too.
