And so it took everything I had to get out of bed this morning. Every ounce of energy I could summon. Getting ready for work, a task that each of us must do every morning (or evening), was unbelievably taxing. I cursed the alarm clock, felt no solace in the hot shower that I normally find exhilarating and lamented the fact that I did not iron my clothes last night and therefore had to do so this morning. My body lethargic, my mind on hiatus and tears threatening to escape my eyes, I barely made it out of the house on time.
What a lovely surprise, then, to walk outside and find a perfectly cool morning, and to take the first sip of a perfectly wonderful cup of coffee. Both, I find, are perfect: the breeze, instantly calming and cool (7); the chai latte, steaming hot and invigorating (8)...
And suddenly I was swept away in the moment: this is a perfect morning. Stop moaning, stop stressing, stop worrying. JUST STOP IT. Trust. Go slowly. Feel the breeze. Really taste the coffee. Relax your shoulders. Take a deep breath. Feel that sensation. Pay attention to your senses. Take stock -- all is not lost yet. Give thanks -- your worst fears and reality bear little resemblance. And in that moment I am rescued from my own cynicism and exhaustion and catapulted back into living not in fear but in this moment, wherein I create my own happiness.
Thank God.
Feel free to leave your own experiences and reminders in the comments.
-Me