The Promise of a New Day

 One morning last week, as I sat on the beach preparing to dip, I took a few extra moments to admire the tiniest slivers of colour peeking through the dark clouds. There was at least a half-hour until sunrise officially occurred, making this the pre-show before the sun was visible.  I love this time of day because you never know what you might see.  The colour of the sky changes before you can register it or try to capture it on your phone, leaving you to simply observe and marvel at its beauty.

This morning, these slivers of color were the sum total of the sun that appeared.  What struck me as I waded into the lake to take in the show was the sense of anticipation and wonder that I felt as I watched the colours appear and then fade away -- the promise of a new day on the horizon and all that it might (or might not) bring with it.  

How often do we have the chance to step outside our daily routine to be present in the moment and to be open to what may come, as it does?  I try my hardest to find ways to incorporate mindfulness in my days and, despite that intention, I often wander through chunks of my days just following the standard operating procedures I have created.  What would happen if we took some time to sit and wonder about what the day ahead might offer?  

I admit I have caught myself doing something along those lines but with a negative spin.  Starting the day with a sigh and a feeling of dread as I wonder what is going to come at me in the next few hours.  Ruminating and focusing on the things that can or might go wrong and what I will need to do to fix these issues before they have come to pass.  If they ever even do!  What a waste of energy and a way to start a new day.

Sitting on the beach reminded me that each day brings promise and we alone can embrace or reject it.  It may feel vulnerable to be so optimistic, especially when society's morale is not in a positive place.  This is when we need these positive ripples the most.  We need people willing to go out on a limb and believe that with each sunrise we have a chance for a new day to bring us new information and ideas.  We can use that information and those ideas to help us take one or two small steps forward. And most importantly, we can celebrate the fact that we have each new day to start fresh and continue learning and growing.  

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