Finding Wa

Jogging around the ancient palace in Kyoto in the early dawn, the cherry blossoms swayed in the breeze. I continued through the park, watching the slow graceful movements of a group practicing Tai Chi to meditative Eastern music. A group of young boys in school uniforms rode past me on bikes, smiling at the site of the gaijin pounding his feet on the pavement, rushing by the scenery. Instead, I stopped and took in the young spring day, joining in the harmony of the moment.