The Reward is the Journey

...(for me) is being out and about on two wheels.  In the sunshine. And today was that day.  It has been a while.  And all the while my bicycle has been standing there looking rather sorry for itself in the hallway.  Waiting. I have come up with every excuse in the book... Too cold.  Too wet.  Too far.  Too much to carry.  Too complicated. It's all too easy to overcomplicate things and if the last year has taught me anything, it's taught me that de-cluttering is a priority.  Only in this way can I remind myself what's most important to me.  And act accordingly. Getting that right, and feeling it to be so, is pure exhilaration. 

Enjoying lunch overlooking the Lido was delicious confirmation that the summer months are on their way. I'm only ever one swim away from a good mood...  Swimming feeds my soul.  I left not only feeling full of the joys of spring (and my halloumi burger), but inspired to take the plunge and return to outdoor swimming after a break that now feels to have been too long.   Even knowing the beautiful azure water, whilst beautiful will be deceptive, I have come to the resolve that I will make it in before the end of March!  

...finding joy in the ordinary; t aking pleasure in the simple things, like finding myself smiling whilst walking to the underground station. At the beginning of the year, I made a note to myself, to allow myself enough time to walk, when the weather permits, rather than getting the bus.   More often than not, the weather is not so inclement that I cannot walk.  It is just that I tend to leave insufficient time, thus robbing myself of the opportunity to spend 15-20 minutes outdoors before descending onto the Northern line. The walk, whilst not the most interesting, creates a spaciousness.  It is an opportunity to shift gears, and turn my attention inward, to notice where it is that I am at that particular moment.  Taking some time to see the sunshine, and feel the breeze on my face is like a dose of 'contentment'.   There are few people for whom the longer daylight hours do not positively impact.  At this time of year, it is not uncom...