This morning, I got to witness a breathtaking sunrise just as I was dropping Tater and Bud off at school. For 10 minutes, the sky was awash in fiery peach, pink, and orange. It was a marvelous sight to see.It took my breath away.
Had I not taken my sons to school this morning... had I not kept to my routine, everyday schedule... I would have missed it.
It was a reminder to me to continue to strive toward being mindful and fully present at all times. There is joy to be found even in the seemingly mundane.
Once upon a time, I believed that I needed excitement and could only be truly happy living in a life full of changes and surprises.
I served in the Navy (not just a job, it's an adventure).
I held a multitude of jobs, from skydiving school to world-class hotel to golf resort.
I moved all over the country, never setting down roots for long. California to Florida and all points in between.
I made friends all over the world.
I climbed mountains, rappelled off cliffs, crossed the highest bridges and stood in the tallest city towers.
There was never a dull moment.
My days were full... but my life was empty.
I missed a lot during those years because I wasn't fully present. I was never satisfied, always seeking the next adventure.
This one a long time have I watched. All his life has he looked away... to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was. What he was doing. Adventure. Heh. Excitement. Heh. A Jedi craves not these things. - Yoda, "The Empire Strikes Back"The sunrise this morning reminded me of all that. But it reminded me of other things, too.
I compared my life then to my life now.
It's true that I'm not going "a mile a minute" anymore. I no longer dance in the skies. I took the exit ramp off the fast lane.
But the more I have simplified things, the more I have begun to understand.
It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. - Dr. Seuss, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"Those whose lives are most rewarding are those who have lived each moment as though it were priceless.
Each sunset -
Each sunrise -
Each bite of food -
Each step -
Each breath -
... priceless
Something I have sooo struggled with all my life. I am a "always looking for the next thing" person. I see it in my 5 year old too and I'm working on myself to set a better example for her. Also (this might be heresy to admit, but so be it)...I'm not a Star Wars fan. Have tried to watch many times and it always bores me to tears. That quote is absolutely perfect though.
ReplyDeleteI do want to get back to my rock climbing days though---except for the early weeks with my babies, those were my most "living in the present" moments ;-)
epiphany; 3a(2) : an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking
ReplyDeleteWonderful little gifts given to us from time to time.
You described yours well, hang on to it, meditate on it from time to time.
Sometime, when your plate seems to full, pull that memory out and refresh yourself.
I'm starting to suspect that several of your posts are rebuttals to mine. I did how to insult people, you did a post on grace and love. I did one about how I love change and you did this.
ReplyDeleteWell, miss smarty pants...try my newest post on for size!
;oP~~~~~ Pttht!
ReplyDelete:op back atcha, Squirrel! Yes, I will admit that some of your posts have inspired some of mine.
ReplyDeleteBut take it as a compliment... imitation (or at least inspiration) is the sincerest form of flattery.
You still da man!
I'm just messin with ya TZ, I wasn't really concerned.
ReplyDeleteIt's actually nice to hear an opposing viewpoint once in awhile. Keeps me on my toes.
That's a beautiful sunrise
ReplyDeleteSo right. Very well said. Family and the love that binds us is the grounding that we need.
ReplyDelete