Sunny Side Up: Stop and Smell the Coffee

When we wake up in the morning, there is a certain morning ritual we rush through because we have to get to work on time. We bathe, dress and brush our teeth and hair. Maybe we eat breakfast "or just skip it"; then before rushing out the door we pause for a few seconds to pat the dog on the head. But have we really awakened yet or are we still dreaming?

I mean you look fabulous and all, but have you stopped to witness the sunrise or smell the coffee? What is happening within and around you? Just where were you during your morning rituals? Often I am thinking about what awaits me at the office, or remembering some event from the previous day rather than being aware of the moment that I am in.

I don't remember how breakfast tasted and smelled. My loved one said something to me as I was leaving, what was it? If you are like me, you probably remember very little of your morning as you drive off to work with your mind now focused on the radio news station.

I have a bit of an attention deficit problem. (Self diagnosed, of course). Often I am in such a hurry to be somewhere else that I am already in that place in my mind and missing out on the beauty of the sunrise. I forget to pause, listen, breathe, smile and wake up my senses.

One of my favorite movies is "Shining Through" with Melanie Griffith. In the movie she is being interviewed for a job when Ed Leland (Michael Douglas) gives her a test. He asks her to stand up and close her eyes, but she refuses and wants to take the test "sitting down". He tells her he was going to ask her to describe what the room looked like with her eyes closed. It is a test he gives to prospective employees to see if they are focused. Without batting an eye, she looks directly at him and describes every detail of the room and then she describes the two men now looking at her in disbelief. He is so impressed that she gets hired on the spot.

As I was driving to work a few weeks ago, I decided to turn off the radio and take the route that goes through the mountain. I slowed down the car, but more importantly I slowed down myself. Just as I began to awaken to my surroundings a rare sighting occured. A beautiful black bear came bounding up the mountain in front of my car. He crossed the road and stopped to look back at me. I laughed like a child and continued on my journey. I was in spirit now and witnessing the breeze as it rustled through the trees. A few moments later a family of turkeys crossed the road in front of me. They were simply majestic creatures with beautiful tail feathers. I felt the wonder a child feels when it witnesses something for the first time.

I noticed the sun filtering through the trees and shining on the mountainside. The rocks glistening like jewels and my longing to feel their cold surface. Using my imagination, I can touch them. I can feel the breeze on my face. I can hear the rustling of the trees and the singing of the birds. I am awake now and I take this moment with me as I begin to boot up my computer and return phone calls. I have found my center and it's going to be a beautiful day.