Taking a Break and the Fallout

Yesterday, I settled in for my evening meditation session.  This morning, I woke up.  I'm not sure what happened in between, but I can tell you that I took a break from my daily practice. Clearly, I needed the rest, and I'm glad I got it because it set me up this morning to fully appreciate what ended up being a very satisfying day.

Clouds over the Washington Navy Yard

I managed to get a well rested early start on the day, and I made it down to the Anacostia before the sun had fully washed out the morning sky. There were enough clouds about to give the heavens an interesting texture. Since starting walking, I've really grown to appreciate just a little cloud color to give the sun a truly fascinating canvas to work with in it's race across the sky.

Water Is Life - Southeast Washington DC

The clouds this morning foreshadowed the arrival of rain in the afternoon, and by the time I was wrapping up a busy, but mostly productive, sojourn at my day job I found that this subtle reminder from the morning went a long way toward putting things in perspective. Rain is something else I've grown to appreciate more and dread less with my walking.

Punishment or Sport - Crew Practice on the Anacostia

It seems that whenever I'm near a river, there are folks out on it in one, four, or eight person shells practicing either the sport or punishment of rowing. I'm told by a practitioner of the activity, whose opinion I value, that rowing is truly both a sport and a punishment. Today I was grateful for the opportunity to observe it from shore.

Sunrise on the Anacosia

A little less than a mile into my ambulation, I hit the perfect vista to pause for a few moments and greet the day as the sun climbed over the horizon. It was a pleasure to breath. When was the last time you noticed how good it felt to gulp down two lung fulls of air?

Coming Dusk on the Anacostia

The sun was wrapping up it's daily journey, and I was wrapping up a damp (more than a little damp really) quickstep back to the parking garage when the storm broke for the evening. If water is life (and it is), I figure I added at least several weeks onto my allotted time on the planet with the closing exertions for the day.

The rest from yesterday did quite a bit of good, and I was able to truly appreciate the glory of life that unfolded around me today.  As is my practice, the promise of tomorrow beckons once again, and I'm excited to see what adventures await on the other side of the darkness.