MARCH

March is a volatile month

if I had to rate the months of the year on a scale of 1 to 12,
1 being my favorite
12 being my least favorite
March would easily be 12

as I was walking my three miles this morning,
trudging uphill with rain spitting intermittently,
and blustery winds buffeting me, 
I thought about how pleasant every other day has been this week
how much easier it has been to do this with the sun shining

that led to thinking about some of the reasons March is a hard month for me
that led to thoughts about soldiers and marches
I can't figure out why my mind works like it does, 
so I don't blame you if you are confused 
by how I got from taking a walk to thoughts about marching

soldiers march
in the rain
through the mud
across the sand
in the blistering heat
in the snow
up hill
down hill
whether they "feel" like or not,
they march
sometimes it is the only way to get from "here" to "there"

walking is something I am choosing to do to take better care of myself
the weather is not always going to be pleasant
the terrain is not always going to be easy
as a matter of fact  the only way I am going to get stronger 
is to seek out and "do" the more difficult trail

pondering is good for the soul
I will continue to put one foot in front of the other
I hope to face each day with an altered attitude
enjoying what I can
enduring what I have to

I still am not a huge fan of March
but I acknowledge it doesn't last forever
and it is the only way to get from "here" to "there" 
because unless God calls me home, 
I will walk through this month and face another March in a year

sometimes you can stroll,
sometimes you simply have to "soldier up"
and march, 2,3,4, march...