Several Months Ago. . .

. . . in this post, I disclosed to all of you that I never run with a phone.  Running is my time to completely disconnect, be alone, undisturbed, and in complete peace.  Was I ever surprised by the concerned texts, emails, and phone calls I received regarding that piece of information.

Several people encouraged me to reconsider that decision.  Just take your phone, they said.

At first, I resisted but then. . . I relented.  Now, my phone is with me on every run and I just have to say Thank You. 

Sure, thank you for caring and for wanting me to be safe. . . I truly felt your concern.  But even more you gave me a gift.

Now that my precious iPhone is with me, not only is my body engaged in my run. . . so are my eyes.

I notice everything.  The way the sun slowly illuminates the path before me.  The way the shadows shift according to the position of the sun.  I notice the abundance of the clouds and the always changing nature of the sky. 

I notice the way the fog slowly drifts upward and the way that nature so effortlessly puts on a captivating show.  The landscape has become more interesting as I wonder about the history and the inhabitants of the farms I pass.

Because of you, my caring readers, my morning runs have become so much more than the increase of my heart rate and a pace per mile.  Because of you my morning runs have become an experience that has increased my love and awareness of the beauty that exists all around me.

It’s everywhere. . .

. . . if only I will open my eyes to see it. 

Thank you.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.  ~Lao Tzu