Arctic cold outside, but I'd had enough of being indoors, and too much exposure to news of world events, so I went to take my frazzled self for a walk through Rattray Marsh. In spite of the winter weather, there were quite a few people there, along with their dogs in woolly snowsuits. The mud was frozen, the wooden walkways were clear, and I encountered little ice.
The first thing I saw at the head of the trail was two little woodpeckers (maybe nuthatches?) on one tree trunk, scrambling along it like squirrels. There was ice along the edges of the streams running through the reeds, but no sign of the usual geese or swans I see in the summer.
I struck out at a brisk pace, wrapped up against the cold wind, and instantly felt better. The thumping of my heels on the wood boards, the swing of my arms, the fresh air, and the whoosh of the high waves on the lake filled me with happiness. I never wanted to stop. If you ever need a burst of fresh enthusiasm, a fast walk in cold weather will do it. I also find anxiety or fury can be transformed into productive, positive energy by the simple act of walking. By the end of the 30-minute hike, I felt invigorated, empowered, and strong. Clear-headed and firm-minded. Not calm, rarely that, but capable of returning to the world and handling its associated woes.
I've always known love can be turned into joyful energy merely through vigorous outdoor exercise, but now I understand that hate and rage can be similarly transformed in the same way, with the same cleansing result.
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