Thursday, September 30, 2010

Cloud chaser.


Aren't you just loving this perfect Fall weather??

Tonight, I needed some broccoli, so I decided to breathe deep the air and stroll over to Bi-Lo instead of driving. Ipod-in-ears, I set off, jammin', and trying to walk and dance at the same time.

Mid head-bob, I saw the most absolutely breathtaking sky, so I bypassed Bi-Lo and kept walking, trying to get the best view I could of the clouds. I soon found myself on the stone steps of a church a few block from my house, leaning back on my elbows and trying to drink it all in.

The clouds were the warmest, most perfect shade of gold I've ever seen, set strikingly against a Santorini-blue backdrop of sky. Birds swooped and fluttered, perfect black silhouettes in the fading light, and the clouds moved so fast that it felt like the earth was spinning out of control. It was completely magical - what I would imagine to be a little glimpse of heaven.

And there were all of these people driving by in their cars. Talking on their cell phones. And they never even looked up. Here there was this completely, completely glorious sky to behold, free for the taking, a gift.

And they didn't even notice.

If I could sum up my multi-page bucket list, my values, my goals, and my dreams into just one simple task, it would be to always, constantly, purposefully, and passionately be AWAKE.

I don't want to sleep through one priceless second of this precious gift of life. I don't want to spend my days on auto-pilot. Going through the motions. Getting by. Getting through.

NO.

That's a fate worse than death. And just think: countless people choose that fate for themselves every. single. day.

Our days are to be savored, like a luscious and complex glass of wine. Pick out the individual flavors and fragrances. Get in there and seek out the beautiful details. Let it saturate your tongue and slide down your throat. Feel its lasting warmth. Drink it up.

Don't sleepwalk through your life. Open your eyes. There is indescribable beauty everywhere. SEE like you'll be blind tomorrow. Smell the sweetness in the air, the apples in the grocery store, and yes, the roses. There is magic everywhere you look, if you look for it.

So does all of that mean that I'm happy as a clam every minute? That I grit my teeth and plaster on a smile no matter what's going on in my life? No way Jose'. I'm pretty much one big walking emotion. I cry at hallmark commercials. Fake is not awake. So far, I've learned that being truly awake means being truly real.

Yeah, sometimes things totally suck. Sometimes I have no idea what God is doing. Sometimes I just want to curl up in bed and cry and never come out again.

But none of that ever changes the fact that life is beautiful. A gift. And that we, you and I, are here, right where we are this very second, for a reason, (even when it sucks.)

So no matter where you are right now, don't waste another second. Consider this your alarm clock.

WAKE UP.

3 comments:

  1. YES. YES. YES.

    There's nothing left to say.

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  2. Such true words! I don't want to miss out on life either...thanks for the reminder. :)

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  3. I'm glad you're blogging.

    I'm just pretty much speechless.

    ReplyDelete