Random Observations Along the Way

I have a lot of frustrations in my life right now, and I've decided that I'm just going to go for a run/walk whenever I start getting wrapped up in them. Today was Day 2 of the "Running Kills Frustration" campaign. I observed a LOT on this run!

First, running and walking are both mind-clearing activites. I knew this, but somehow I managed to forget it over the past few years. It's really hard to stay mired in sadness or anxiety when you are in the middle of a run/walk. Try it; it really is hard. So, at least for those few minutes of the day, I can let my mind roam where it wants. Something else that helps with that is listening to Trance (Techno). Trance really does take me to a higher state of consciousness. I am much more creative AND focused while listening. I listen to it a lot at work because I have lots of tasks that require me to focus and isolate myself from distractions. Anyway, it helps with the running and walking because it provides a tempo and a distraction from the pain, and all the jiggling, and the labored breathing.

Second, I love the weather we are having and I wish that it would always be in the 50s-60s in December. I don't really care for Christmas, much - other than the birth of Christ part, and the cynic in me is always quick to point out that He was probably born in the Springtime, anyway. But the great weather we have right now has really elevated my mood. I actually have been able to go outside and ENJOY the neighbors' Christmas decorations and my neighborhood in general. I really like it here and I'm glad that things fell into place for me to move back into my own house!

On the "cool down" part of my run/walk, I noticed a dead mouse on the sidewalk. Ew.

Last, and certainly not least, I think Stella must not have known I was just going out for a quick walk (because she's a cat, and cats can't tell time). When walked back into the house, I heard a loud banging noise over the sound from my headphones, and just as I yanked them out of my ears, there was another loud bang, and I realised that Stella was crawling OUT of a cabinet in my bedroom and the banging was the door swinging shut behind her. I immediately opened the door to see what she had been doing, and I realised that she must be opening the door while I'm gone so she can climb in there and take a nap on the towels, because the top towel was super warm and had some stray hairs on it. That Stella. She has a mind of her own. I have found a few other cabinet doors open this way, but I keep thinking it's something else, like the wind or old-house problems. Now I know it really is her.