Thursday thanks

Today I'm thankful for "the foot that is up..."

Let me explain...

Just 12 days ago, Pensacola was underwater. Today I awoke to a breathtakingly gorgeous summer day - hot air, cool breeze, bright clear blue skies.

Similarly gorgeous, clear, blue day a few months ago

Walking along the north shore of Santa Rosa Sound, I could see for miles out across the water. Looking closely (glasses on, of course) I could pick out the Pensacola Beach "beach ball" water tower more than 5 miles away.

Neighbors said "good morning."

An osprey flew overhead.

My steps and my heart felt light to be surrounded by so much beauty.

With a day this perfect, it is nearly impossible to believe that bad weather has ever struck this part of the world, or that it will again. But, of course, it has - and it will. And in some ways, those dark days make the bright ones even brighter.

One of my all-time favorite quotes, from The Count of Monte Cristo, sums up this principle nicely:

“There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness.”
Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo

I feel that way after a hard race or a long run. The last few miles are sweaty and painful - with blisters, quads, and lungs screaming equally for attention. But two hours later, when the running is over, and after a long cool shower, the feeling of being still is a kind of peace that has no equal.

"My head monk asked how it was walking. I said it hurt without shoes. And he said, 'It hurts on the foot that's down, but the one that's up feels really good - so focus on that one'."
Deepak Chopra (on preparing to be ordained as a Buddhist monk)

Today I'm thankful for the foot that's up.

What are you thankful for this week?