Running in the Dark

I hate waiting until it's dark outside to go on my run.  Sometimes though, that's just the way it happens. With the hours I work and Scarlett's schedule (my busy angel has Girl Scouts, Ballet, and the church play), if my only option is to run in the dark or not run at all, I will run in the dark.  

A run in the dark is interesting, scary and probably a little dangerous.  I can't see where my feet are landing as clearly, I am less visible to cars, and more vulnerable to dogs and creeps.  As I run along, my heart beats a little faster.  I can't tell you how many times I turned my head to make sure it was leaves and nothing more chasing me.  I try to stick to the neighborhoods that are more affluent.  The bigger the houses, the more lights they leave on.  Starting in my neighborhood, the street lights are few and far between and not many of the front porches have their lights on.  As I progress towards bigger and bigger houses (is this foreshadowing my move up in life?) there are more and more lights to keep me company and make me feel safe.

These runs in the dark are a lot like what I do daily as I search for what I think I am meant to do.  I have tried a lot of different things, but nothing has felt exactly right.  Life is kind of like running in the dark, unsure of whether or not you will land safely or trip and fall.  Even if something scares you, sometimes you have to take the chance, or risk missing out on something fulfilling.