I have always been an early riser who loved the first hours of the morning. I have always been most at peace during the
time of day when darkness lingers for a few final moments before the world awakens to greet a new day. I savor the
stillness of the vestiges of the night before it acquiesces to the light of day. When the weather allows, I open my windows wide
to breathe in the fresh morning air.
This morning was another one of these magical mornings. My eyes opened to the hovering darkness and quickly closed
again as I moved into morning prayers. Beginning with gratitude that another day of living has been granted, I then pray for
all the names in my prayer book. I pray that each life be lifted to what is the highest and best for each person. I pray for
every person who passes through my mind and my heart. Finally, I pray for the wisdom, guidance, discernment, and
willingness to “let all I do be done with love” (I Corinthians 16:14).
With my eyes gently closed to the outer world, I hear the first call of nature. The single, clear chirp, seems to wake all the
birds that quickly chime in with their morning mating call. One after another the birds join in adding their individual sweet
sound to the crescendo that calls this day into life. There is great peace and much joy in my heart for these gentle moments
that I am graced to witness before dawn breaks. I feel privileged to witness the sounds of nature in harmonious concert
before the air traffic and street traffic intrude on this symphony.
Then, as if on cue, Luna begins to purr as she snuggles closely next to me. The rest of my crew begin to pace and meow
reminding me that it is breakfast time for everyone. This day begins with the glorious accompaniment of the gifts of nature.
My heart swells with gratitude as I make my way to the kitchen and out to the backyard to walk my labyrinth, a practice that
settles me into tranquil vibes for this day. The streets and skies now fill with the hustle and bustle of the waking world as a
gentle rain begins to fall upon the land. Comfortably inside I watch the rain, which creates the perfect backdrop for mindful
moments of meditation. What joy it is to be alive this day. I am grateful.
The series “The Book of Joy” by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu has been insightful for me and
I do hope for you as well. One of the practices I have begun to carry with me is to change my perspective. Heeding the
wisdom of the Dalai Lama, I begin by stepping back within my mind to look at a bigger picture and to “look beyond my self-
awareness and self-interests”. I lift my vision to a “God’s eye perspective” as suggested by the sage Archbishop. By
moving in consciousness from I to we, from me to us, and from mine to ours, I consider a broader spectrum of possibility. I
even step into the field of infinite possibilities! I trust there is something from “The Book of Joy”’’ that calls you to shift and
change your thinking and way of being.
Much love, many blessings,
Rev. Karewn