Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road

Whitman begins "Song of the Open Road" as follows:

Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road,

Healthy, free, the world before me,

The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose.

Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good-fortune,

Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing,

Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms,

Strong and content I travel the open road.

Each day we start our journey anew -- there is much to learn from Whitman's words that would do us well along our journey.  "Light-hearted" for instance -- when is the last time we really felt light-hearted?  Do we carry our worries with us day in/out?  When we do those worries occupy space in our minds, space that is not given to creativity, goodness, nor compassion.  In essence we are poisoning our minds and shutting out opportunities to grow and live fruitfully.  At best we are limiting ourselves and at worst we are circling the drain of negativity and unfulfillment.  We become what we think -- I challenge you to be more light-hearted today.