Trail Inspiration During the Pandemic

Since the novel coronavirus pandemic turned the world upside-down earlier this year and forced many of us to stay mostly at home, I've tried to continue running. Instead of running on the awesome and popular multi-use trail system close to my home, I've been hitting residential streets in my neighborhood to avoid crowds on the trails. 

There is a short trail segment very close to my house that I run or walk if the coast is clear (LOL).

Usually I keep to running against traffic on the adjacent road, but earlier last month I ventured onto the trail and had the absolute joy of seeing these beautiful and inspirational sentiments written with sidewalk chalk. 

I had to stop to photograph each one.

This text is inspired by the quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. quote from his "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech:

But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars.

This one is inspired by the poem "Dreams" by the American poet Langston Hughes: 

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird 
That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

This one is inspired by the quote from French fashion designer Coco Chanel

Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.

This one is from a quote by the Chinese American author Maxine Hong Kingston

In a time of destruction, create something: a poem, a parade, a community, a school, a vow, a moral principle; one peaceful moment.

Along with the chalk art, I noticed signs put up by our community in order to encourage safe shared use of the trail system. I was glad to see these signs but as of now I am still uncomfortable passing people on the trail. I sweat so much and breathe so heavily I imagine that I am a walking cloud of droplets. I'm keeping myself to myself for the time being.