The older I get the more I recognize my need for sunshine. The rain clouds are all too willing to remind one that we do, in fact, live on the west coast. For the past week, though, I have been able to open the windows and let the warm, fresh air in. I have also been getting up earlier than usual to go running.
A few weeks ago I was talking with a friend about a particularily difficult trial I have been dealing with and I asked her what she does when she feels this way. Her answer, "Run". So I took her advice. I put on my shoes, and close the door behind me. As I ran It became apparent to me that this is much like life. I push up those hills and my body tells me it is tired and wants to slow down. But my mind tells me that I can do it, and so on I run. Some days I don't want to face them. Some days I don't want to climb those hills. I don't want to hurt. I don't want the pain. But as I keep pushing I build, not only physical strength, but emotional endurance as well. I have discovered I can run father than I thought I could. I start my day already feeling like I have accomplished something hard. I can push through the pain, and come out the other side stronger, better able to deal with what I am thrown. My body can be pushed, my muscles will work hard. So can my mind, my emotions, my feelings, my hurt, my pain. I can literally and figuratively keep pushing, and never give up. And when I am home I can open my windows to let in the fresh air - not only into these 4 walls but into my life as well. I can feel the fresh air and the warm sunshine, my heart pounding, my muscles working, and I realize just how much I need these hills in my life. They will make me strong. I feel gratitude for the fresh breeze blowing in my windows, and the hills in my life.
