Ups and Downs

It's interesting how different things in life can teach you about different things in life. As I was hiking today I was reminded again how much more I like going uphill than downhill. I tend to prefer that when I'm running as well. There is something about the struggle, having to work harder that reminds me that I'm alive and what I'm doing. Coming downhill is more painful in some ways, probably because I don't use those muscles as much. Coming downhill I often feel out of control, and that can be scary.

In other parts of life how often do I end up taking the more difficult, uphill route so that I'm always having to work, to struggle. It reminds me that I'm alive, it reminds me what I'm doing. When things start going downhill emotionally it hurts, I suppose because I so often try not to use those muscles otherwise. It also feels out of control, as if I'm spiraling into an abyss, and frankly that can be scary.

Now then, we often talk about the seasons of life and compare them to the seasons of the year. I wonder, then, what it says about me that I like winter the best, with fall coming in a close second?