A Walk in the Dark

I love to travel. While I'm at home I'll go out for long walks or rollerblades or runs. But recently, I've been finding myself a homebody. Not wanting to go out at all when I'm home because most nights I'm out doing stuff. Today though, I picked myself up and returned to a shorter version of my 3 hour walk. I went for a walk through the neighboring 5 miles. It felt good and reminded me what a good, brisk walk in the dark can do for your soul.

Ever since childhood I've loved walking and running in the dark. It's funny, when my mood is the darkest or heavy, walking or running at night lightens it in a way that a daylight walk or run cannot. In the dark, I don't see how far I have yet to go and I can focus on the now and my thoughts. Growing up in Wisconsin, my family would always go for a walk around the neighborhood after supper. Usually around dusk and we would talk about life and bond and exercise.

In high school, I found running in winter in the dark helped me go farther and got my blood going.

Now, in Los Angeles, it's a wonderful time to enjoy exercise with a break from the sun which is so much more intense than it was in Wisconsin.

I'm careful. I travel in the safest of areas. And I have my Road ID on my shoe.

I realize that movement can move not just my body but my mood. Dancing to a good song makes me feel better too. And yet, it's the absence of movement, the stopping of the world that draws attention in that world of movement. Hmmmm....

Movement and the joy it can give people reminds me of this viral video that's been going around. It blends four things I love about life: A good surprise, good clean fun, dancing without judgement, and taking a calculated risk. It's a short video but it will put a smile on your face.