Stepping Outside

12-20-17

#myDecemberGoal

Stepping Outside

            One of the hardest parts about being on Christmas break is trying to go outside. It stinks being cooped up inside all day trying to find something to do. Almost everyday, I want to go outside but I have to convince myself to make the effort to bear the cold.

            This afternoon though, I sucked it up. I put on my jacket and took a walk around the block. This year I have really come to appreciate the time I get to spend outside. If there was one drawback from being in grad school this past semester, it’s that I was in the same building the whole day. For undergrad, I would at least get to take the 15 minute stroll around campus between classes to get to the different buildings. However, for this semester I was often perked up in one building for the whole day. I would get 10 minutes of fresh air when I would bike to class and 10 minutes of fresh air when I would bike home. That was it.

            The walk this afternoon reminded me just how healing fresh air can be. I walked around my little league where I first learned to play baseball as a youngster. Coincidentally, my high school field where I would catch fly balls as a centerfielder is right next to my little league. I enjoyed the reminiscing and the walk taught me something that I think applies to life in general. If I want to be refreshed and find something that makes me happy, I have to sacrifice being comfortable. My house was my comfort zone. But when I literally stepped outside of that comfort zone, I became a lot happier. Even better, the sun and blue sky made me forget that I was even cold.

-Brody