“Let chance and the town take charge of you,” Graham writes. “For the world we travel in is more wonderful than human plans or idle hearts desire.”
Graham is describing a strategy for exploring the streets of New York City, which he calls “the zigzag walk.” He starts down an avenue, then takes the first left, then the next right, then left and so on, varying the direction from time to time to get to a predetermined location.
He describes the “surprises, delights and curiosities” revealed by the “way of the zigzag,” which he says is “not the crowds’ way,” but rather “the diagonal between heart and reason.” He goes on to say he later tried the same method in Paris and again in Cologne. I wondered if he’d be safe doing the same in the 21st century (remember, he was writing in 1926).
But his method is not lost on me. I am a great planner, which has its rewards. But am I missing something? Planning gives, but does it also take away? Are there any true surprises without some chance, some spontaneity, some zigzag paths?
Sounds like something I need to try.