I walked out to feed and water the chickens and as I opened the door I was met with icy air. It was piercing and penetrated my jacket, hat and mittens. The wind blew the icy air and I tucked my face down into my jacket as I walked towards the barn. The water sloshed from the bucket in the fierce wind. All of my exposed skin burned almost immediately. My lungs stung as I took a deep breath in of the freezing air. Tears ran from my eyes and I eventually made the decision to simply shut them as I knew this path to the barn well, I walked it daily.
I wanted to run today but it was simply too cold, it was downright painful outside. Everything hurt just from the walk to the barn and back. When I got back into the house I looked out the frosty windowpane at the rising sun and the darkness fading. I hoped that the light from the sun would warm the earth and bring some much needed comfort.
Hours later, I laced my running shoes and slid into my cold weather gear. I won’t lie, the run was still cold and slightly uncomfortable but it wasn’t painful by any stretch of the imagination. While it wasn’t my ideal running environment,it was still a great run and much more comfortable than I imagined earlier that morning. While this wasn’t the spring running temps that I longed for, it was a beautiful day and I felt grateful to be running during the warmest part that the day had to offer me.
This run was much like life. Sometimes, in moments of darkness we find ourselves uncomfortable or even in downright pain. Sometimes, you need to just pause and embrace the delay. Embrace the fact that the darkness will fade and the universe will bring light again. It may not always feel it, but it does happen. Waiting can be difficult but often with a delay we find ourselves in a better situation, a more comfortable one that ultimately promotes our actual goal. Waiting also gives us the opportunity to process our feelings and emotions and question what we really want. So, if you find yourself taking the cold painful walk to the barn in the dark, know that the light is coming and will warm you soon. If you find yourself standing in the warmth of the house, staring out through a frosty window, know that the light is coming and will open the door for you soon. If you find yourself running, in cold weather gear, know that spring is coming soon.
