Hills matter...

Last Saturday, I took to the outdoors for my first attempt to run from the traffic light here to the traffic light there, and back. Not the most scenic of routes, but it was a good definable distance and goal. My mom and Stuart were really sweet about it. They came out to the sidewalk to cheer me on as if it were really race day. My mom even made a sign that said "GO CATHERINE GO!" And it made a real difference when I was climbing up the tough hill on the way back to know that there were people (and one canine) waiting for me with love at the end who really cared about the outcome. So, the practical outcome is that the external conditions definitely matter -- hills and weather are major challenges -- and running outdoors is way more difficult than the treadmill at the gym. The spiritual outcome is also that the external conditions definitely matter -- demonstrations of love and enthusiasm are major resources -- and they do make it way easier to conquer the hills and the weather. Turning that thought inside out, I feel inspired to offer even more demonstrations of love and enthusiasm to everybody else.... because it mattered so much to me!