During my run this morning, it was as if I suddenly woke up and saw the beautiful line of trees in the park where I happened to pass through. I realized that I caught only the tail end of it, as my thoughts were elsewhere until that moment.

I recently stopped running with earphones. Instead of utilizing the time to learn something, I just try to be present in the moment. But that is easier said than done. I thought about my mother, who called me last night to tell me she was sick. I worried about the preparation for our quarterly planning at work, which I still have to do. I pictured how the little surgery on my toe is going to play out when I get around to it. All this inner noise made me deaf and blind to the current moment.

But I am still debating it with myself. Maybe it is okay to let one’s thoughts wander sometimes. I took the time to pray for my mother, to plan for that work preparation, and to entrust my health to God. I have found peace about many relational struggles by pondering them while running. I have come up with some of my best ideas and solved many problems while out on a run. Listening to something has its place, but this may be the only time when I can simply let my thoughts go unhurriedly to wherever the biggest need may be.

But what a wonder to then wake up and see something beautiful, like the sunbeams spreading through the branches of a tree, the red flower-capped hedges, or a purple-and-pink sunrise over the water. I just love noticing the variety and beauty of what God makes.

We need input, and it is good to get the perspectives of others while listening to podcasts or audiobooks. It is also good to let the mind wander, since it unleashes creativity that I think cannot be accessed through focused thinking. And then sometimes, we just need to be there in the moment: see the trees, smell the flowers, feel the sun and the wind and the rain, and somehow also sense the goodness of God.