Not sure if you’ve read the Salt Path but I’m sure you’ve come across the scandal surrounding the real facts behind the story told.
It’s raised a common theme I’ve been exploring recently which is that there are always two sides to the story.
And the truth suggested to you is always questionable to some degree.
I want to share my connection to the Salt Path with you first to illustrate this point.
I read the book in the winter lockdown of 2021.
It was bitter if you remember?
The usual dark and wet January made worse by the closure of all our usual escapes.
We were forced to stay home and wonder where all this was going and if it would ever end.
My gastritis was flaring badly in the night and the story of Raynor and Moth provided a source of comfort as I sat terrified by my own symptoms and a health system that was failing fast and had no capacity to help me at all.
Each chapter slowly planted the seed of the healing power of nature, the gift of walking and being out in the elements.
I nurtured this seed as my health issues persisted.
It took me to the woods to sit under the trees when worry flooded my mind.
It gave me permission to take a moment to lie in the grass and watch the clouds on a lunch break when I feared what was coming next.
It suggested I put my shoes on and head out for a wet, cold or windy walk in the dark rather than sit anxiously on the sofa.
It encouraged me to take a much-needed pause walking home to be calmed by the sound of the stream running alongside the pathway.
All these times nature offered a bigger space, something greater than me, which helped me cope.
It constantly modelled a state of transition, flow and motion.
Yet also a resilience and power stance in response to disrespect it receives from us humans.
All these spontaneous and ever changing performances from the elements helped me feel better.
They slowly restored a sense of safety, consciously and subconsciously.
Without realising it my mind was beginning to expand and consider the subtle suggestion that an easier way was possible.
Perhaps a method where I got out of the way, relinquished the control and rigidity I’d been fighting so hard to maintain.
The seed began to grow into an idea of being closer to all the elements and my own salt path adventure started to blossom.
It culminated in a move to the West Coast of Portugal and I’ll be forever grateful to the book that planted the seed.
This experience also means I’m constantly prescribing ‘doing’ less and ‘being’ in nature more to all my clients.
I explain to them the powerful benefit of daily doses of nature for our nervous system health.
The simple act of stepping out the human zoo (house, car, office, car, house) and away from the artificial life we live via screens to engage in the real life moment.
It can turn everything around for a short moment and maybe soon for an eternity.
And it’s free.
The more I’ve encouraged clients to get out and walk more, the more they’ve experienced improvements in symptoms, mental health and body composition.
I don’t doubt they’ve told someone about the benefits of walking too.
Sometime the tougher the elements you face on a walk, the greater it’s impact.
When you witness the trees swaying in the wind yet standing tall, you realise you’re meant to be challenged by what is going on and you can take it all, with presence.
Nature has become my teacher and the Salt Path guided me to that desk to learn.
So, as you can see there are two sides to the story.
The book and film have undoubtedly been a source for positive change in this world.
We may never know the whole truth.
Were their actions a consequence of some events beforehand entirely before beyond their control?
Who knows.
Many details are yet to be confirmed but watching the public hanging and delight at their downfall has made for uncomfortable viewing.
It reflects much of the world right now.
People ready to offer judgement whilst expertly editing their own history.
I’m not defending nor trying to guilt trip anyone.
I’m highlighting that there can be many interpretations of the same reality.
And on that note, I’m off for a walk 😂
