The weather was goregeous today. Unusually warm and mild, it was not your typical January day. I took the opportunity to go out for a run in the trails behind my apartment that the cross country team uses. People used to say that I was crazy for loving to run. "How can you WANT to run for miles?" After today, I say that they are crazy for not wanting to run.

I thought of two things today on my run. As I ran through the silent woods, it appeared that I was all alone in the world. I could see foot prints in the mud from those who have been here before me. I could see where they sunk in the mud and where drier ground held firm. Which way would I take? What could I do that would set me apart from the others that have come before me? What could I do that would be different from those who will surely come along after me?

Every was so quiet. So calm. Almost as if I had run into another world, away from professors, friends, work, noisey cars and crazy schedules. The path was clear but lined with trees and branches. The sky was gray and blue above me. I remember thinking at the time one simple word "serenity." All I could hear was the wind blowing across my face, my breathe quickly inhaling and exhaling, and my feet slamming into the squishy ground sending sprays of muddy water into the air. I could feel my heart thudding in my chest, my lungs burning, unaccostumed to the warm humid weather. I never saw birds, but I could hear them enjoying the change in weather. I could hear cars and the noisey glass factory, but it was so far off in the distance, it was more as one remembers a hazy dream in the morning. My legs and arms burned as I pushed my body up the hills. I know the pain I feel is weakness leaving my body. It is the physical purging of my body, sweating and working off all the impurities I gulp down in a day. When I reach the top I feel that I am purging my soul of the impurities and stresses (real or imagined) that I have encountered throughout the day. I have over come this obstacle that not everyone would push to the top of. I relaxed as I drifted back down the hills, widening my stride and just letting my coast. All the stresses seem to be exhaled with every breathe from my burning chest. As I come closer to my goal, I speed up my steps, just a little, racing an unseen opponent. As I pass my goal I slow down to a walk. I feel proud and successful that I accomplished such a simple, but worthwhile goal for the day. As I walk I feel cool air rush into my lungs and the wind dries the sweat from my face. Leaves blow around me on a race of their own and I know that I have set myself apart, I have taken a path less traveled. I have not yet blazed my own, but I know that it will come with time.

-kln-

Every day you have to test yourself. If not, today is a wasted day.