It was a day in late December. The Christmas tree had been taken down. The lights and decorations had been boxed up and put in the closet until next year. And I was feeling a little blue. I sure wasn’t looking forward to the long, cold, dark Winter to come. I had always been a light lover on the inside. I tried to take comfort in knowing that a few more minutes of daylight was being added each day, but I still felt tired and run down.

I was both surprised and delighted then when I looked out my window and saw that a Spring like day had suddenly arrived. The temperatures quickly soared into the sixties and the sun was shining down on the earth with a loving light. I could hear the neighborhood children outside playing in the warm air. I smiled when I saw them and my inner child longed to be out there riding bikes and playing games as well.

I leashed my dogs for their afternoon walk hoping to enjoy some of the sunshine myself. As I was about to head out the door, however, I decided to do something a little different. I reached down and pulled my shoes and socks off. I hadn’t been barefoot outside since the Summer. I slowly stepped out on the cool, damp grass. It felt so alive under my feet. I laughed as I walked along. I remembered something I once read too: “Walk as if you were kissing the earth with your feet.” And with each step I did so. My walk felt sacred and holy. I felt a oneness with the world and the love of Heaven all around me. With love in my heart I thanked God for the gift of this day and no longer dreaded the Winter to come.

All of us are walking through this life. But it is up to each of us how we do so. Are you going to stumble and stomp and complain with each step you take? Or are you going to kiss the earth with your feet and Heaven with your heart? The choice is yours.