So very interesting, Paul.

I often walk the very hilly trails near me (now closed due to covid-19). During a particular few days I noticed that walking up and down those hills had gotten burdensome.

The weather hadn't changed, neither my mode of dressing, I was still weight-height appropriate, and had a recent health checkup.

Then I realized what seemed a reasonable explanation. When I emerged from my walk onto the paved private road to my home my mind was thought-heavy.

Whereas on previous walks I was in awe of everything that surrounded me - the varying super tall straight trees which might well be hundreds of years old;

Some fallen ones supporting new life; and others which had turned into coal;

Wondering that perhaps things don't really have a finality in a specific form, they just transition to a another.

I noticed the rare lower bend in other trees only a few feet up from the ground and wondered how that came to be.

My mind would be in wonderment of the varying shades and textures of the leaves from different trees;

I would notice the diversity in patterns and thickness of tree barks;

The rare glimpse of little wooden boxes nailed high up onto some trees for bats - past or present, and feel grateful for the kindness we sometimes show to nature;

As I walked on solid ground I was grateful for strong tree roots preventing the soil completely eroding during the rainy months;

Some of which were visible above ground and functioned as steps as I walked up that unique section of the trail;

And, those were just the trees . . .

At times I remembered and practiced proper breathing as I walked

The contrast of that light and peaceful experience with the laborious allowed me choose.

Over the following days whenever I noticed an undue heaviness walking the trails, I would check my thoughts. Switch, or no thought. It worked.

I'm glad that I felt the difference and changed it before it became the norm.

Otherwise, Paul, to use your analogy, there would be no battery recharge at the end of those walks.

Remember when you thought like a child, and still could see beauty ...

"When I think back of all the CRAP I learned in high-school, it's a wonder I can think at all ... "

Simon and Garfunkel song!

Enjoy Nature, it contains all the wonder.

Paul

lol