I like to run while listening to music, but for the first half of my run/walk, I listened to the sounds of crickets and the wind through the trees. The world has stressed me out recently. You probably know the list--gun violence, the Steubenville rape trial, the 17 million children who are hungry in the United States right now, the sequester. I could go on, but I'm not going to. My point is that running is a good distraction. It reminds me of the good things that exist in the world--mostly non-human things. Like this tree, which is beautiful and my favorite color:
Sometimes it is good to get out. It's good to exert yourself. It's good to turn off the computer, switch off the news. Not so that you can ignore the bad or sad or awful parts of the world, but so that you can come back to these problems with a clear head, a strong body, and the energy to keep fighting against the wrongs in the world.
I decided to ride my bike to work today even though I will probably get rained on this afternoon. I needed the oxygen in my lungs and the burn in my muscles and the wind on my face.
ReplyDeleteI hope you don't get rained on, but I'm glad you are getting to ride your bike. One of the reasons I like running and biking instead of going to the gym is that you get the wonderful outdoors and you get time alone.
DeleteYes it is. Unplugging from things that are battery operated is important.
ReplyDeleteExactly!
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