Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’ll be using manicules (those pointing finger symbols) to direct your attention to something I’m pondering that delights or interests me. Each entry is somehow related to an unusual, obscure, or simply charming to me word.
B is for…
bimble – gentle meandering walk with no particular haste or purpose
There’s something about this word as it crosses my lips always makes me smile. In a world more likely to be task-focused and time-oriented, there’s a gentle eccentricity about it that delights me. And somehow I imagine that a mission to keep one’s feet on the joy trail requires more than an occasional bimble’
I think perhaps especially when on a bimble one can best practice Thich Nhat Hanh’s beautiful invitation to “walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.” I happen to know from experience that doing so pleases Earth, and she often responds with offering the most wonderful treasures in return. For instance, on a recent bimble I found a patch of tiny purple flowers hiding; saw a squirrel dragging half a bagel to a secret noshing spot before being noticed by his peers; found a feather; and deliberately splashed through a series of puddles for the sheer joy of it.
I’m doing a lot of dedicated Rumi reading this year, and I keep returning to one of my favorite pieces:
“Keep walking, though there’s no place to get to. Don’t try to see through the distances. That’s not for human beings. Move within, but don’t move the way fear makes you move. Today, like every other day, we wake up empty & frightened. Don’t open the door to the study and begin reading. Take down a musical instrument. Let the beauty we love be what we do. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.”
Perfect isn’t it? Not only do I see it as an invitation on how to live, but can’t you imagine what a joy it would have been to walk with Rumi and be In the presence of someone so masterful at being in the present moment? What a wonderful companion to join with on a bimble.
I’m also reminded of Henry Miller’s words:
“One’s destination is never a place but rather a new way of looking at things.“
That’s a wonderful perspective – I really appreciate the spaciousness of it. And perhaps that’s the real gift of a bimble – reminding ourselves that we always have the opportunity to see with new eyes and a new heart.
What about you? Have you been meandering lately? Suspect, as I do, that a parasol is a perfect accessory for a bimble? What do you want to be looking at in a new way, with fresh eyes and an open heart? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
Have you ever taken a walk with a fiddling child? THEY know how to nimble! Step, step… Squat down to examine a bug… Step, step, step… Bend and pick a dandelion…
*smile*
I went on many a nimble when my oldest nephews (who are now over 30!) were little. It’s an enjoyable way to walk. 🙂
What a perfect example that definitely makes my heart happy. And you can bet on my next meandering, should I spot a dandelion I’ll be bending down and picking it.
Hari OM
Debra! First, let me say that Blogger has been playing some strange tricks with a couple (were three or four actually) that I subscribe to and I only get to know of posts every so often from them. I have done everything I know how to correct this, but… well… sigh… so forgive me if I miss posts.
As for today’s word, I feel as if I have been bumbling through life a bit of late. There is a sense of limbo as I and my siblings await the finalisation of my father’s estate (another month or so yet). It is not that an injection of funds that it will provide will be welcome but that, finally, we will be able to put a ‘period’ on that sentence and move on to the next. Or chapter. YAM xx
B=Branches and Berries
I’m sorry to hear finalizing your father’s estate has been such a lengthy process, but I’m glad the end is in sight. I’m sure it will indeed be a relief and a welcome invitation to open new doors.
While I don’t have Blogger problems, I swear there is similar happening for many of us on many different platforms. Just yesterday I discovered I’m not getting notices from my library app letting me know a loan is available. I’m appealing to Mercury to clear the way for all messages to get through, but I think he and his winged sandals are bimbling along on some tropical beach at the moment.
I go on daily bimbles and see so much along the way. Although my route is usually the same, there are always new things to notice, especially in the spring when trees and flowers are blooming.
I love Spring bimbles too. Change happens so quickly, and each day is like a new party, with new guests, is underway.
I didn’t know that there was a word called Bimble!
This is good to know!
I often do bop around and find cute things on my walk, I guess I should start calling that a bimble now!
Thanks for sharing!
Hopping in from the A-Z community,
Dream
https://thedreamgirlwrites.wordpress.com/2022/04/02/broken/
I’m really in love with obscure and obsolete words, and am always on a mission to bring back those I love. Bimble just feels like such a delicious one – such a delightful invitation to slow down and pay attention to what shows up on your path.
I absolutely love that word! Jotting it down to remember to work it into my vocabulary.
Blessings~
Perfect! I fall in love with a lot of words, and it’s always fun to work them into conversation.
Bimble is a wonderful verb. You see so much more along the way.
So, so true.
Ever since I first read the word ‘bimble’ on your post (a few minutes ago), I’ve been itching to go on one:) Shall wait for the day to cool down a bit and then go on one.
“Kissing the Earth with my feet.” Is there any other way to walk?
It’s a perfect description isn’t it?! And it makes me smile that you’re waiting for the day to cool down. Yesterday we had snow, and I’m waiting for the day to warm up.
LOL I didn’t know it was called a bimble. I call it walking Benny, the dog. Nice word.
LOL – how perfect Janet!
I definitely need to do more of this. And I learned a new word today! 🙂
The Multicolored Diary
May there be an abundance of bimbles in your future. 🙂
Bimble. I like that. It seems to lend purpose to meandering.
Lovely post!
Thank you, and I wish you many a pleasant bimble.
Ah, I do love a good bimble! Your blue flowers are lovely, and I particularly enjoy having a digital camera as I bimble, so that I can acknowledge all the treasures I see.
B is for Breathing Fire
I agree about the digital cameras, too, Anne.
Wait, so how is a bimble different from a ramble?! Curious minds want to know!!
Beth
https://bethlapinsatozblog.wordpress.com/
In essence there’s probably not much difference in definition, but the etymology is certainly different. It’s suggested ramble is probably related to Middle Dutch rammelen to roam (of animals). Actually that’s one of things that’s so fascinating to me about words – how various cultures developed their languages, how words got adopted, how usage shifts and new words become popular. So many things to be curious about! And I love thinking about how we choose one word over another – if we’re looking with conscious awareness for the right-fit one, how you “know” when you hit upon it. In my case, I tend to use ramble to describe my wandering thoughts, and bimble feels like a go-to choice for actual physical meandering.
Beautifully penned and thats a new word i learnt today. Being in the moment just to acknowledge the kiss the gentle breeze gives you can be so blissful! Lovely writing .
Visiting from A to Z
Jayashree Writes
Thank you for your kind words and visit Jayashree. Bimble feels like such a charming word to me. Just saying it, and thinking in those terms, seems to invite in a gentleness and playfulness that’s hard to resist.
What a lovely word and background! I think the only time I bimble is while I wait for my son to finish practice. He’s a youth hockey player. Sometimes I will go to the lake for a “stroll” as I usually call it. Other times I’ll run errands, but since I have time to kill I’ll take my time at the supermarket or where ever I am, looking at products.
Strolling around the lake sounds lovely to me, but even doing errands when there’s a bit of spaciousness around it instead of a sense of a time-crush to-do list can be a gift.
I have never heard this word before – oh I love it and shall do my best to remember it. Bimble sounds so freeing.
Best wishes
Tasha
Tasha’s Thinkings: YouTube – What They Don’t Tell You (and free fiction)
It does sound freeing doesn’t it?!
There’s nothing quite as soothing as a bimble, although I didn’t know till now that that’s what it’s called. The quotes are wonderful too.
Using the word bimble feels deliciously powerful to me – the ability to transform what might be ordinary into something a bit magical.
What a beautiful pictogram, for a beautiful word?!
Bimble really is a lovely, inviting word isn’t it?
What a great word! Sadly many of my walks lately have been to improve fitness so definitely not Bimbles. I’ll have to try and fit some of those in too. Thanks for your visit.
I need to do more fitness walking. We should trade one day Wendy – you bimble and I’ll power walk. Thanks for stopping by.
Deborah, your post aligns with my “A” blog for artist. I was a bit scared to start drawing again. Get up every morning with no fear at all…love it. Also, when I draw I have to look very hard at what I’m drawing and the more I look, the more I see…so many details!
That’s so perfect!