The shoes

I have this pair of shoes that I wear only for running.  There is no magic in them, they are just ordinary running shoes with soft padding and alot of spring in them to make it easier on this old guy's tired knees.  
I have a time when I run which I changed to early morning because having had my run for the day makes me feel good and gives me a good attitude!  Somehow it changes my brain  chemistry and enhances my cognitive thinking.  I read that in running magazine.  The trade off is that analytical thinking is suppressed so I can't balance my checkbook at this time :)
I put my shoes on and tie them when I get ready to go and I notice how good they feel on my feet. I feel  bouncy and energetic. Stretching my legs over the stair railing and getting my muscles ready to work. Going through my stretching routine, opening those capillaries makes me feel young again, like I have just had a nice massage. One more calf stretch against the oil tank and I am ready to head out, running on all cylinders!
It's a typical Maine autumn at 20 degrees fahrenheit and I step up my pace to overcome the immediate lack of warmth from single layer clothing.  Before long, I feel the fire running through my veins fueling my passion!  The air is cold going into my lungs but feels good as I heat up from the work. Pacing myself, I settle into a rithym that will work for me for the miles I have selected to go on this day.  
Then I pray.  I say the prayers I was taught as a kid in the Catholic school which was closed after I graduated. I am thinking I learned alot in that school because I was so fearful of the nuns. They were very strict. Further into my run and before I finish praying, I ask God for special favors for those here who are suffering with physical or emotional pain. Please help them, especially those who need it most.
This is my private time, my time for prayer and meditation, for reopening the lines of communication between me and God, for getting rid of all the negativity that is holding me back, for reaffirming my place in this world and my purpose; and generally just taking care of myself, physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally.   
Sometimes it is hard getting started.  I remind myself that every ending has a beginning and I can't reach that end, I can't get that good feeling, that "runners high" without starting at some point. That cause, that justification, makes it easier to start the following day. Makes it easier to lace up my running shoes and go through my routine, that took me awhile to get into the habit of doing.
When I am done, I take my running shoes off and put on my work shoes assuming a different role, one of necessary drudgery so to speak, but I am feeling more energetic, more calm, more at peace and ready to take on the world and handle any problem that comes up.
Life is good!

Hugs!