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Thursday, January 4, 2018

Some mornings getting out of bed and to work is a real struggle and by the time I make it across town I feel like I’ve put in a day of work already.  This morning was one of those “challenging” mornings.  The alarm clock woke me at 6 am and I had not gotten enough rest to satisfy my body, so just getting out of bed was difficult. Even after I sat in bed for 30 minutes, checked my e-mail, watched the news and had the cup of coffee my hero husband brought me before he left for work, I just wanted to go back to sleep.

On top of not feeling well, my eyes were bothering me and even after finding the offending piece of fuzz in my left eye and removing it, my eyes still felt irritated and I just wanted to close them for a couple more hours.  Our older cat also had a rough morning and spit up in a couple THREE places in my bedroom.  I narrowly missed stepping into the first one I discovered, and nearly lost that cup of coffee cleaning up the mess.  When I made the bed I knocked back a fingernail on the headboard and before the pain subsided stepped squarely into another puddle of cat vomit with my bare foot. I also had a few extra chores that needed done before heading for work so I ran short on time to get myself painted and curled.

With no time left to fix my hair I pulled a small section back from my face and left for working feeling old and tired (and feeling like everyone I encountered could see that on my face).  As I started to pull out I placed my hands on the steering wheel and realized I had not put on my rings.  I feel odd all day without my wedding ring. I figured another minute to run back into the house would not matter at this point, so I went back inside and grabbed my rings and finally headed down the road.

Then my morning got very interesting……

The first thing I noticed was a beautiful pattern of clouds across the blue eastern sky lit up by the bright morning sun.  I wish I could share a picture, but I was driving, so you’ll just have to use your imagination.

The second thing that happened was that before I made it to the first traffic light, a song started playing that moved me to the point of becoming teary eyed.  The power of music is absolutely incredible. And miraculously, God always seems to know what song I need on this type of day.  This morning the song I needed was Breathe by Jonny Diaz.



If you’re not familiar it goes like this….

Alarm clock screaming bare feet hit the floor
It’s off to the races everybody out the door
I’m feeling like I’m falling behind, it’s a crazy life
Ninety miles an hour going fast as I can
Trying to push a little harder trying to get the upper hand
So much to do in so little time, it’s a crazy life
It’s ready, set, go it’s another wild day
When the stress is on the rise in my heart I feel you say just

Breathe, just breathe
Come and rest at my feet
And be, just be
Chaos calls but all you really need
Is to just breathe

Third cup of joe just to get me through the day
Want to make the most of time but I feel it slip away
I wonder if there’s something more to this crazy life
I’m busy, busy, busy, and it’s no surprise to see
That I only have time for me, me, me
There’s gotta be something more to this crazy life
I’m hanging on tight to another wild day
When it starts to fall apart in my heart I hear you say just

Breathe, just breathe
Come and rest at my feet
And be, just be
Chaos calls but all you really need
Is to take it in, fill your lungs
The peace of God that overcomes
Just breathe (just breathe)
let your weary spirit rest

Lay down what’s good and find what’s best
Just breathe (just breathe)
Just breathe, just breathe
Come and rest at my feet
And be, just be

Chaos calls but all you really need
Is to just breathe
Just breathe

Songwriters: Jonathan Lindley Smith / Jonny Diaz / Tony Wood
Breathe lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Essential Music Publishing, Capitol Christian Music Group

And by the time the song ended, that what I was doing. Just breathing, filling my lungs with the “peace of God that overcomes” and I realized it was time to apply Suzy Welch’s 10/10/10 Rule.  What will matter in 10 minutes, 10 months, 10 years? http://www.suzywelch101010.com/

Being 15 minutes late to work this morning wasn’t even going to matter TODAY!  My boss/job is very flexible, if I’m running late I just make it up or lunch or stay a few minutes later at the end of the day.  It’s not a big deal to anyone except me. So I let it go.

The third thing that happened was that as I got my bags out of my car in the parking lot at work I noticed beautiful frost patterns sparkling in the sun on the vehicle next to me (it was a company vehicle that hadn’t been driven this morning).  It was covered with intricate, beautiful icy patterns that were different on every window.  I considered snapping a picture, but I was in a bit of a rush to get inside because

a)   I was 15 minutes late; and
b)    It was 28 degrees outside

But I took the time to notice and appreciate the icy artwork because I was breathing a little slower and deeper.

The fourth thing stopped me in my tracks.   As I approached the building a large heron flew across in front of me and landed on the roof.  This was worth stopping for a picture – even if it was 28 degrees.  I put down my purse, my tote bag and my coffee and took out my phone.  I snapped a couple pictures as I stepped slowly closer trying to get a better picture. Then I went back for my things and kept going toward the door and the warmth waiting inside.   I didn’t get a closer picture because as I approached, this beautiful BIG bird spread it wings and flew down to the ground behind the building.



But my day had turned a corner as I realized that if I hadn’t had some bumps this morning that slowed me down, I would have missed some beauty along the way. 

Was I still tired? Yes, I was. 

Did I want to go back home and sleep until lunch time?  Yes, I did. 


But my spirit was filled with a restful peace and I was inspired to share my morning. The feeling of chaos was gone and I knew I could make it through the day, one deep breath at a time.

Laura