As the morning sun crests over the East rooftops (not very romantic but no hills in Florida) I enjoy the dawn probably more than any other time of day. Thunderstorms will rage through mid afternoon, to remind us that not all of life is unending bliss. This week we were treated to a full moon also brightening the morning sky. When the alarm sounds, I confess that my first thoughts are for myself: will I lace up, dive in or veg out? Once that decision is quickly dispensed with, what follows is no longer about me. The pavement pounding or laps all evolve to concentration outside of myself. I name family members, friends, I think of patients and families. It becomes a meditation completely devoted to others. Many times per day I am certain that you also pray or express hope for loved ones. Some people on your “list” need you, others are happy to have you in their lives, still more delight in engaging you. But every single day, I can say with certainty that you get up, get out, get going because you are needed.
That fact lightens your step, erases doubt, and encourages a positive spirit. This isn’t a new concept and is well expressed in the writings of Holocaust survivor, Victor Frankl, bearing the pain and suffering each day because he would allow himself to consider who needed him.
Surely we can put aside our own trials, fears, maybe even exhaustion from a life living with cancer or illness to lighten those moments on awakening. Another way to lighten the day ahead is to appreciate the thought process of “get”. Not: “I have to go to work,” but “I get to go to work”. Not: I have to teach the children” but, I get to teach them”. Not: “I have to plan meals…. you “get ” it.
We are blessed in so many ways, the greatest of which is having others in our lives with whom we “get” to engage. The thought can lesson any burden and change perspective dramatically if we allow for it. Concentrating on others encourages us to do more, be more and give more which is life affirming and immune boosting.
By focusing the light of your thoughts on others you dismiss angst and catastrophic thinking. I know that you are already doing this. Now it’s time to realize how amazing you are and how blessed others are that you wake up and are there shining your light in their lives.