When Water Meets Ice

Recently I traveled over three thousand miles in my Car.  From Southern California to the great city of San Francisco, onward and upward to Truckee and further North to Bend Oregon.  I decided to take a road I had never been on, the road less traveled if you will.  With no idea what I may come across, I set my GPS and accepted the journey.

Sometimes we all can use a long drive.  The feeling of freedom one gets from the open road is very liberating.  It allows for time to process, time to reflect and time to internalize the vast amount of feelings, emotions and decisions that we all face and make.  I challenged  myself to stay present, to not jump right on my computer and begin writing, but to instead take a week to really soak up the now.

I found myself in the middle of eastern Oregon, with no towns for 100’s of miles.  Fortunate that I had filled up my gas tank and was equipped with enough gear to survive for a week should the worst occur, I had no worries in my mind.  I came across a lake, unlike anything I had seen in my life.  Naturally I had to pull over and take it all in, my goal was to be present in the moment, so this seemed appropriate.  Half the lake was flowing clear water, the other half, solid white Ice.

As I meditated by the River’s edge, I was struck with the symbolism of the view in front of me.  Here I was, embarking on a small journey, approaching the end of 2011 and the start of 2012.  When water meets Ice we are faced with a decision, swim or walk.  Walking would be easy, however the risk is so great.  To fall through the ice could be deadly.  Sometimes the easy route is balanced by a high cost, the Yin and Yang of life is undeniable.

Balance it seems was the lesson I was to experience from this moment in Nature.  How vital it is to support a sense of moderation in life with all things.  For no one wants to be surrounded by ice, however being stuck in a vast amount of water is just as dangerous.  In the end we need both, for without water there would be no ice and without ice, there would be nothing to stand on when we tire of swimming.

Strength Within The Sunrise

For the past few months I have made a conscious effort to wake up at least three days a week to watch the Sunrise. Although it is tough getting out of a warm comfortable bed to practice this discipline, I have found that the benefits far outweigh the extra hour or two of sleep. Early mornings allow for time to prepare and center yourself before the day takes control of you. I find it interesting that people put so much power and emphasis behind a beautiful sunset, yet very little is said about the birth of a new sunrise. Celebrate the day by waking up with the sun a few times a week; this small practice will pay off handsomely in spiritual growth and personal development.

With the rising of the sun comes the start of a new game, a new race, a new day. Each day we are faced with opportunity to grow and learn, the privilege to teach and perform. Think of life as a baseball game for a minute. Each day the game starts over, some days we hit a single, maybe a double. Other days we hit home runs, while often times we simply strike out. The beauty is, each day is another chance to step up to the plate and take your swing. By actively choosing to practice the discipline of rising with the sun, you will drastically improve your odds of hitting that home run.

The practice of meditation and relaxation first thing in the morning is crucial in stimulating mindfulness and producing an abundance of Alpha waves in the brain. The reward for this practice is an increased ability to stay present, remain balanced and be ready for any situation that may arise during the coming day. It’s a well-known truth that humanity has devoted time early in the morning for centuries. All faiths and religions suggest prayer or devotion in the morning, successful businessmen and women tend to have a morning routine, rising with the sun I feel safe to say, has been practiced since the beginning of time.

It seems that with the complex lives we live today, and the intricacies of our daily tasks and distractions, the majority of us lack the discipline or basic desire to get out of our Tempurpedic, Goose Down layered beds in the morning and allow ourselves the privilege of waking up with the planet. No, far to often we instead hop out of bed at the last possible moment and scramble to work or our first appointment, on edge till we get that Starbucks in our hands and head down the highway in full survival, fight or flight mode, Beta waves driving us into the day instead of Alpha waves. Slow down, wake up and center yourself as the daylight spreads across the land. Do yourself the favor; see first hand the power of rising with the sun. Remain mindful of the future and conscious of the past, but never at the expense of the moment.