Living in the moment.

Two days ago I had a fever and I have been congested. Luckily, I've just been able to sleep. Yesterday I walked about a mile. Today I walked 3.2 miles. Its brisk and cold outside.

I thought about how the Buddha talks about breathing and being aware of the body. I remembered when I used to run no matter what the weather--rain, sleet, snow, sun. I watched the warm air come out of my mouth and the moisture mix with the cold. I felt the snap and burn of the snow on my cheeks. If its really cold, your throat tightens when you breath in and you will cough if you breath too quick. Today, was not like that--but I remember. I also remember how your legs get tighter, more quickly due to cold and that your body works harder than when its warm.

I had everything I've ever been taught about winter survival from the military go through my brain. I remembered camping out at -20 degrees in Alaska. Today, was not like that either. Today, was just me, practicing breathing and pushing myself to walk and to view the world on my road. Today was remembering how when I used to run distances, that you balance your breathing with a rhythm...in, in, out, out..nose, nose, mouth, mouth....one two, one two....hmmm? not unlike concentrating on breathing for meditation...

When I am running, swimming, or biking, or in this case walking, but pushing a further distance, I am aware of my body. I am aware of breathing in oxygen and can imagine the molecule attached to my blood and it speeding down the vessels  to the tips of my fingers to make sure they are warm and functioning.

I have not felt relaxed or alive in a while. Today, I feel relaxed and alive.