I just got back from an amazing run. It was nice out, felt good to stretch my legs, and I'm feeling mostly better after feeling on and off rotten for a couple days.
As I was out, I found myself greeting people I passed with a cheerful "Good Morning!," a smile or a wave. People who were outside doing mundane yardwork would stop and smile, wave or even chat back cheerfully. I felt as if I was spreading sunshine out there today, just in my own little world, my own neighborhood. While I ran, I envisioned myself as a comet with light trailing behind me, leaving where I went better and brighter.
It made my time so much more fun (and took my mind off the running) and was easy to do. It's easy (at least for me a raging extrovert) to share some love, kindness...and it really makes the world a better place. Imagine though, if we all lived that way, friendly and kind. Greeting those around us. And then imagine if we took it a step further and cared for those we saw in need that we could help.
It's so easy to keep to ourselves in our own bubbles and problems and not reach out to others. Even our own neighbors. I'm often guilty of that...my life is so overwhelming to me at times and I feel like I struggle just getting through it.
Anyway, just some thoughts during my run today that I wanted to share.
Lovely thoughts about running (when I used to fun, mostly I had thoughts like, "how many more minutes are left?" in my head. The metaphor of the sunflower fits your narrative well.
A lovely capture to complement the story. As I read, I was reminded of my neighborhood as a child. Everyone knew everyone on their street, in the neighborhood. Children could play in a variety of yards, with no fear.If you walked in the evening, you wouldn't get far without stopping to say hi to someone sitting on their front porch. So it's not hard to imagine, living that way...in the past, we did. Today, it takes a lot more effort...(wow, now I'm all philosophical...) This is a fav for me...as a reminder...
I am a talker, and always say hello to strangers or just something!! When I first met my husband (who is quite quiet) he would yell at me not to talk to strangers! I told him he wasn't my mother and it didn't hurt a bit!!! Soon, I caught him talking, and liking it!! LOL He still doesn't talk that much to strangers, but at least he does say a few words!! I grew up when everyone always talked to everyone!!! My mother always said the gift I was given, was to gab!! Love the sunshine the flower gives and what you give also!! FAV!
Nothing better than a good run outside, except maybe a good talk with a neighbor? ;) You are exactly right. I like your "sideways" composition for this happy flower.
this is lovely! you and i are soooooo different! i love running because for some reason it really helps me think and problem-solve! barring a brief wave to other runners, i rarely talk to anyone while i'm out ;p
Terrific image and such up-beat thought provoking words. You're an amazing woman. Your photos are fabulous too 8-)
BTW I don't run and at an hour before sunrise there is no one to say G'day to 8-(
BTW I don't run and at an hour before sunrise there is no one to say G'day to 8-(