ITake a deep breath and contemplate the natural world. Notice how golden, how hushed and quiet it is.. The light this time of year is very precious because the day is so short. Enjoy every ray of sunshine.

Inside the shell of a seed, energy is racing. Inside each walker and walker-to-be, energy is circulating. All that is needed is intention and focus to develop the seed, to spout it, to start growing.

The energy of the universe is in us all. In it we move and have our being, 
physical, mental and spiritual. The inner universe is vaster than the outer visible universe. Inner joy makes all joy that is experienced in the world of senses seem meaningless. When the universal energy within you is experienced directly, it adds radiance to life, unlike anything that can be described with words or pictures.

What is the way to have more energy, more peace? Simplify your life. That will create  more harmony and freedom.You will be able to focus and be in the present moment more easily.

In all your activity for the holiday season, think about what  will give you or others joy, peace and harmony - get rid of the rest. Is it really  necessary to do all that running around, all  that worrying ?
 
The best gift you can give yourself or others is some time in quiet contempation or  meditation to focus on what is important in your life. Spend some  time thinking about what you want to be like and what you want to do in the next few years.

The purest simplicity of enjoying  a sunrise or sunset, a quick walk after a rain shower may give you more joy than the most extravagant  jewels. Then again maybe not for you. The more you clutter your life with material possessions, the more likely it is that they will possess you. Pressure, anxiety and tension will interfere  with your performance in sports and in life.

This time of the year, nature is stripped down to basics. Perhaps we too could think of concentrating on basics. Think about our race walking technique, get it as pure and correct as possible. It is a good time too, to put in a good base of distance work; it will make us strong and help  work off  those extra calories that slip in this time of year.

If the weather doesn’t cooperate, find an indoor mall, early or late and walk.Some use treadmills or other machines. Whatever works to help keep you at peace with yourself. Discover that sacred core within you, start the quest in life and walk with energy and peace. May your holiday season be full of joy and much energy and peace in the coming new year!