Staying Indoors

Hard upon the heels of "Staying Outdoors" came this miserable week of "Staying Indoors."  Martha and I both have the flu and so have been forced to stay inside, sleeping in my chair at night, drinking copious amounts of chicken soup, and resting, resting, resting.  I am not often sick (and that is not unexpected - all of the evidence shows the benefits of  frequent exercise and good nutrition in staying well), and being down for a week is perhaps even more difficult for an active person.  How will I ever get back in shape again?  How much fitness have I lost, not having gone to the gym in eight days and not having run since last Sunday?  Will I be ready for that 5-K on February 15?  It makes me identify with those who are frequently sick, seriously sick, and some who will never get well.  Is there anything more precious in life after all than good health?

But last night I slept deeply and dreamed with exceptional clarity about distant vistas and beautiful cities.  And today I was able to go outdoors and do my morning Tai Chi on the deck (despite one or two treacherous patches of ice), breathing deeply the fragrant air, and the view of Satulah Mountain was surely even more starkly beautiful here in the actual wonderful joyful world itself, standing high and golden in the morning light like a lopsided Mt. Fuji. 

My fellow blogger J. P., high up there on Mt. LeConte (that neighboring Mt. Fuji), posted this wonderful quote today:

"If the day and the night are such that you greet them with joy, and life emits a fragrance like flowers and sweet-scented herbs, is more elastic, more starry, more immortal — that is your success." -  Henry David Thoreau