I huffed and puffed as I racked the dumbbells.
A productive day at work followed by a brutal workout - my chest was sore, and my shoulders felt like dropping from their sockets.
I was dressed in my traditional gym attire - a black pullover adorned by the Puma logo on the left, black shorts and a pair of pale white gym shoes that rounded up the look. I logged the last set of the workout and hit the big blue complete button on my tracker application.
5 personal records. Perhaps being fasted helped me dig deeper.
26 weeks since I started working out.
As I lifted my phone up to change the playlist, the colours of the vivid display cut through the darkness that engulfed the staircase as I walked to the exit - it was 21:00.
A cold breeze rushed in as the door swung open. The lights in the parking lot made the drizzle visible. A smile swept across my face. I have always loved rain since I was a kid. Something about the gloomy grey sky and the raindrops pattering on a window sill lifts my spirits.
A light fog hovered across Reutlingen, blurring the city lights emanating from the distance - a sight to behold.
Cars whizzed past the highway.
A chilly 6° C.
A peaceful lo-fi track resonated through my earphones.
I was completely present in the moment.
I looked up and saw individual raindrops falling on the lens of my glass. Tenderly removing my glasses, I closed my eyes and let the moment sink in.
As the feelings of bliss intensified, I heard myself mouth the words:
Life is so beautiful!
I was reminded of my parents and felt an intense gratitude towards them.
I was reminded that I am studying in a foreign country so far from home - a fact I still find hard to believe.
I remembered my friends who have shaped me over the years until this very moment.
Tears of happiness flowed down my cheek and merged with the raindrops as I looked towards the heavens and expressed my gratitude for everything I had been handed.
Life was perfect just the way it was, and I wouldn't have it any other way.