Tecolote Ideations

John Muir once said, “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” At first glance, it sounds like he’s simply talking about hiking—about leaving the sidewalks behind and spending time on forest trails. But there’s a deeper philosophy hidden in these words, one that reaches beyond recreation and speaks to how we live our lives. To me, Muir’s quote is about the importance of slowing down, reconnecting with nature, and choosing experiences that are less polished but more meaningful.
On a literal level, I think of dirt paths as the trails we walk through woods, fields, and mountains. They’re not designed for efficiency, and they rarely lead us in straight lines. Sometimes they’re muddy, sometimes uneven, but they almost always remind us that life isn’t meant to be completely controlled or predictable. When I step onto a dirt trail, I notice things I miss in my everyday rush—the sound of wind through trees, the crunch of leaves underfoot, the way the world seems bigger and quieter at the same time. These experiences ground me, pulling me out of the noise of routine and into something timeless.
But Muir’s words also carry a metaphor. Not every path we take in life needs to be paved, planned, or approved by society’s standards. A “dirt path” might be that unconventional choice we make—the career that doesn’t guarantee wealth but gives us joy, the trip we take without knowing exactly where it will lead, the time we carve out to sit quietly in a park when we could be checking emails. These are not always the easiest or most practical decisions, but they are the ones that bring us back to ourselves.
I think Muir was reminding us that our lives are richer when we allow room for imperfection and unpredictability. Dirt paths are messy. They get your shoes dirty. But they also lead you to places paved roads can’t reach—hidden clearings, mountain overlooks, quiet moments of clarity. In the same way, the less polished choices in life can end up shaping us in ways we never expected.
In today’s world, it’s easy to get lost in the pursuit of speed, efficiency, and achievement. We tend to stay on the safe, paved roads because they promise security. But Muir’s wisdom suggests that stepping onto a dirt path—both literally and metaphorically—is an act of balance. It’s a way of remembering that life isn’t only about where we’re going, but about how deeply we’re experiencing the journey.
For me, Muir’s words are an invitation: take time to wander, to slow down, to listen, to be humbled by the natural world. Let a few of your paths be dirt, because those are often the ones that bring you back home—to the earth, to simplicity, and to yourself.