Entry 9- Carrying it With Me

It was the kind of day that demanded to be spent outside.

This glorious Sunday morning was one of those rare weekend days where, instead of sleeping in, you wake up to sunlight pouring through the blinds and feel called to bask in its warmth. As I approach graduation, I realize I’ve learned many things at TCU (most of them finance-related), but I’ve also discovered that there is no better way to enjoy a day like this in Fort Worth than by jogging on the Trinity Trails. 

I arrived at the trailhead and set out as usual. At the beginning of a run, you feel a lot at once: your heart rate elevating, the cool breeze across your face, the pace of your steps on the dirt. But on this particular Sunday, I felt something unusual: nostalgia. 

I’ve never considered myself a nostalgic person. I’ve always believed there’s little reason to look back when we can move forward. But the Trinity Trails and I have shared a lot over the past four years. They’ve been a break from campus life and a place to clear my mind when it felt overloaded. 

Overwhelmed by these memories, I sought comfort in my surroundings. I noticed a mother navigating her ducklings safely through the river. The scene was quiet, simple, and still, prompting the peace that the trails usually do. 

For this reason, I am sentimental about what may be my last time on the trails. I wish I could bottle up their restorative energy and carry it with me. Although I obviously can’t, there is something I can take with me: how to seek out peace when life feels overwhelming. I learned on this beautiful Sunday that moving forward doesn’t mean leaving the past behind. In fact, it is probably helpful to carry some of it with you.

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