This morning I waited at a semi-rural intersection with my phone in hand, facing east.
It may have looked odd to people. I might have looked lost or confused until they got close when they would see my earnest face, observing, listening. My face would show something intense was either happening or about to happen.
I was waiting for the sunrise.
I almost didn’t want to write about this because it seems too soon, like talking about your new boyfriend before he has agreed to actually be your boyfriend or inviting people to a party before you ask the others in your household if it is ok to have a party.
The thing is – three days ago when I decided I wanted to take a few moments every day at sunrise to simply be with the sunrise, write a short poem and take a photo I didn’t realize how much I had been missing!
Several years ago I drove for a ridesharing company. I would wake up at 4:30 to drive from 5 am to 7 am then get my son prepped and out the door to school. I would drive other times but these early mornings were especially favored because most of time I got to not only enjoy sunrise, I got to enjoy sunrise with someone else.
Several years ago I drove for a ridesharing company. I would wake up at 4:30 to drive from 5 am to 7 am then get my son prepped and out the door to school. I would drive other times but these early mornings were especially favored because most of time I got to not only enjoy sunrise, I got to enjoy sunrise with someone else.
Most people were open to my unabashed sunrise love – or they were gifted at politely ignoring me.
Here’s the deal: when you are present to what is taking place – even something as ordinary as eating your breakfast cereal or choosing what outfit to wear that particular day – you open your senses to be surprised and delighted – and the edges of the simplest act become enchanting.
This morning I watched birds flying in the shape of a heart. I saw countless birds perching on tall grasses that didn’t appear strong enough to hold them. I noticed how grass looked gold when the sun light slanted at the just right angle.
When we are lost in thought about what’s next, hustling from one activity to the more important activity, we miss the beauty that was there all along.
Sunrise comes and goes so quickly, most people miss it entirely.
What lesson is the sunrise waiting to teach you?
Julie JordanScott is The Creative Life Midwife and one of the Founders of Bridge to the New Year. Join us now in 2020 in #Refresh2020 to reflect, connect, intend and taking passionate action to create a truly remarkable rest of 2020. Click the graphic below to find out more and register to receive emails.
Join the conversation in our closed Bridge to the New Year Facebook Group
I’m better at sunsets?. I’m awake and my windows all face west. I admire you for getting up and going out in the morning
Beautiful idea to do each day! Thanks for sharing. I may need to add that to my day…
Beautiful sunrise! I love watching the sun peak out, hubby and I went down to the ocean last year and took some awesome shots. At that time we said we need to do this regularly. Need to start, it’s been a year! It’s so peaceful watching the sun rise, even when driving down the road.
Sunrises are always my favorite as I’m a morning person. They always offer a beautiful new day to “start over”. To me, a sunrise always expresses a new chance to make changes and move forward.
I also love the concept of “starting over.” I love the idea within the lyrics of an old song, “Morning by morning new mercies I see.”
I’m an early riser. I love these summer mornings when the sun rises by 5:30. I go out in the yard and garden and take photos, even though I’ve taken many before. It’s part of my morning ritual – a walking meditation.
I look at my photo albums: so many of the photos have a sameness to them… and that’s ok. One of the things about being a sunrise lover is how much the sun’s journey along the horizon changes and shifts… and how slowly and surely the change shifts as far as when she rises and when she descends. Thank you for commenting!
I spend the twilight time just before sunrise on my porch. I have my coffee or tea and wait to enjoy the sunrise and watch at the many different birds start their day in front of me. I am blessed in that we build our retirement home (read small farm) in the hills of the Serria Mardia mountains just a few miles from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. That means I am surrounded by nature and enjoying the sunrise. This allows me some time to meditate and set the tone for the day.