Saturday 9th - Shrinkage

We had a lovely walk on Cannock Chase today, running around in the forest and dodging the mountain bikes that hurtled past. I always like getting out of the house because sometimes the four walls of my bedroom can be extremely stifling and my internet connection too tempting, especially when there's time to waste. So there it was, a wood, hills and many other things within half an hour's drive.

I've not actually been for a walk there in my memory - we got a 'sustainable' Christmas tree there once, but I can't remember when I've visited there just for the beauty of the place, and sitting on one of the rises within the trees gave a beautiful vista of sunlight shining through foliage - almost as if it were a film set. A great way to end an afternoon's relaxation.

It's strange to think how small the world gets when we're not concentrating - we specialise at work, university or wherever and we can seem to forget that the world contains 6bn other people, that the world is bigger than our offices or rooms, and there is more to the earth than the rat runs and locals. I had no idea Cannock Chase was so big until I went and saw it for myself, or that the range of jobs available is so large, but it stands to reason given the sheer number of companies across the country.

I've also found that the internet, whilst a great portal for information, networking and much more, can be such a drain on mental resources that it's essential that proper discipline is observed. I've come to regard the computer as a bit of a ball and chain sometimes, especially when I can check my email from bed and twitter constantly at work. The false need for up-to-the-second updates can leave me feeling that I know loads of information but no context, and no way to use the vast majority of that information. The time has come to log off more often and to channel energies into a better, longer-term hands-on project.

The other thing to do is to get out more often, even if that means leaving the comfort and 'safety' of the home environment, but it's worth it to explore new places, making the world that bit bigger and giving a better sense of perspective. It was definitely worth it to go out to Cannock Chase today and I'm looking forward to the next trip, whenever that may be - hopefully before Christmas, though.