Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost

Certain times of the year the battle is more challenging than other times. Summer days are full of sunshine, gardening and exercising outside. Summer nights are filled with watching fireflies over the neighboring fields or sitting outside & gazing up at all the beautiful stars you can see when you're this far away from city lights. But winter... winter is... much less fun... for me.

What's the battle I fight?? It's against anxiety & depression. I've written a lot about it my battle -- just check out the number of posts I've labeled for anxiety & depression!!

Years ago when we moved from the Sunshine State (yes, the beautiful & sunny southeast coast of Florida!!) to the land of me being "stuckinindiana", my battle became much more intense. I was determined not to lose the battle though. So, I chose to keep looking for ways to help things be better. I learned after the first few winters north of the Mason-Dixon Line that I needed to be outside in some way or another year round. And, thus began my year-round commitment to my walkabouts & wandering. 

When I'm out tromping around on crunchy snow or slip & sliding along muddy river banks, I often think about the following written by Tolkein & thank God that I am a wandering girl!

     All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost;
     The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

     From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring;
     Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king.

     - J.R.R. Tolkien

A field down the road from my house

Sitting in the leaves taking in some sunshine
before heading out for our walkabout today.

Every day is a good day to get some fresh air.

Linked with the Nesting Place community through the write31days challenge, October 2014 - post No 22.