I like to walk as a meditative act. It’s the time when I can clear my mind of the mundane minutiae of daily living and allow my creative side to take over. I get some of best story inspirations on my walks, and when they come to me, I reach for the only companions I take along – pen and notebook – to try to scribble down a few prompts to remind me of the idea later without accidentally strolling into a parked car or a lamppost.
Now, I have been quite content with this form of note taking since about the time I learned to write words, which is quite a few decades ago. So, it was a bit of a botheration to me when I was about to set out on my walk one morning, eagerly anticipating that a best seller would noodle its way into my brain, and my son, in an irritatingly superior tone said “You know you can make notes on your phone, right?”
To counter that suggestion, I pointed out that my phone was not invited on my walks, as evidenced by its location on the kitchen table, securely tethered to the wall outlet by its charge cord.
I also had to point out the obvious superiority of my little spiral bound notebook and pen over my mobile device. It never needs recharging, updating, upgrading or renewal of its contract. It’s durable, cardboard cover has never once cracked when I have dropped it. I have never accidentally erased any precious, invaluable content within my notebook, that I wanted to keep forever, by pushing an errant button or swiping in the wrong direction. My pen also works reliably even when I am out of range of a cell tower or Wi-fi signal.
There is of course a cost for such convenience – approximately five dollars for the set.
But perhaps the biggest advantage of my trusty notebook and pen is that they never interrupt my blissful contemplation by ringing, beeping or buzzing. Hmmm, methinks maybe I don’t need a mobile phone at all?
by angela lovell 