Stepping into the soft, morning breeze caused memories to be stirred in my mind and heart.  The dark wet clouds moved briskly overhead, hurrying off to the East to make trouble there.  My glimpse of the moon’s sliver before the sun awoke was synchronnized with a deep sigh.  The silver moon usually gives me such peace and calm, and today was no different.  Standing alone in my gown watching the clouds roll by I felt pity for the morning rush hour commuters.  Had they taken the time to breathe in the spring air?  Did they notice the peace and tranquility of the beautiful moon?  As they steered their autos into traffic, did they take note of the billowing clouds heading East?  I doubt it. 

Rushing to school and work is the habit with which we begin our days.  Hurrying to beat the light, squeeze the car into the tightest little space in traffic to get ahead, well, that’s the way we live our lives.  We hurry, we squeeze as much into our 24 hour segment, and then forget to breathe, to observe or to feel.  This condition can be called “the tyranny of the urgent”.  When the urgent isn’t even present in our lives we are programmed to march on to the beat of tyranny in our heads.  Do we walk slowly.  No, rarely have I walked slowly.  Dead set on accomplishing the task at hand, my head is usually down as I plow through my mental to-do list and keep up with the beat of the urgent.

Who gets a second chance?  Who gets to have some fun?  Who gets to sit in a lawn chair and observe the ladybugs devouring the aphids?  Until recently, not I.  And my bet is that you rarely offer yourself that respite either.  Slow down, establish a rhythm, a cadence of breathing deeply while lifting your head and noticing the tender green leaves on the trees.  Wipe your mind clean so that the marching toward your tyranny isn’t automatic.  Give yourself the opportunity to listen to the wind blowing the trees while the birds begin to chirp and welcome the new day.

Instead of gulping down your coffee to dash to the office, sit down.  Breathe deeply and enjoy the taste, enjoy the aroma.  Notice how your muscles relax as you breathe.  Pay attention to your breathing so it is purposeful and nourishing to your lungs and heart.  Pay attention to the pink sky as it blooms for the awakening sun.

Give yourself this little respite.  For just a few minutes leave your troubles at the back doorstep.  Let them slip away for a few minutes and begin your day in thankfulness and joy.  God bless you.