I have risen early. Far in the distance, a faint glow paints the horizon. Dawn is coming, gently and full of prayer. I step quietly from my bed, alive to the silences around me. This is the quiet time, the time of innocence and soft thoughts, the childhood of the day. Now is the moment when I must pause and life my heart – now, before the day fragments and my consciousness shatters into a thousand pieces. For this is the moment when the senses are most alive, when a thought, a touch, a piece of music can shape the spirit and color of the day. But if I am not careful – if I rise, frantic, from my bed, full of small concerns- the mystical flow of the imagination at rest will be broken, the past and the future will rush in to claim my mind, and I will be swept up into life’s petty details and myriad obligations. Gone will be the openness that comes only to the waking heart, and with it, the chance to focus the spirit and consecrate the day. What is needed is only a passing of the heart so the spirit can take wing and be lifted toward the infinite. I walk silently toward the window. The darkness is lifting. A thin shaft of lavender has creased the horizon, setting the edges of the trees on fire with morning light. I pause and bow my head…
~ Kent Nerburn, Small Grace: The Quiet Gifts of Everyday Life
Notes:
- Thank you Make Believe Boutique for this gem and your morning inspirations
- Photo: Distant Passion
That was beautiful….
Thanks Nimi. I agree.
It is always in the stillness and the quiet, that our gifts can be found. Beautiful writing.
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Quietly … waiting on dawn!!
this time of day is absolute magic.
So pleased to be jet lagged and joining you in these early hours of quietness 🙂
So glad to be jet lagged and being able to join you in these quiet wee hours of the morning.
And here we are Val. 🙂
Watching the sunrise, the sky awash with color, how can I witness that and not be filled with hope?
Yes. Exactly.
My time of day. My time of greatest humility and gratitude – but said with far more beauty and grace.
Reblogged this on Makere's Blog and commented:
Welcoming each day, with grace..
Reblogged this on On the Homefront and commented:
do not rise frantic and full of concern during the innocence of dawn…..
Wonderful writing….Powerful and a Reminder of sitting the tone for the gift of a day ahead… ” This is the quiet time, the time of innocence and soft thoughts, the childhood of the day. the childhood of the day” ….”What is needed is only a passing of the heart so the spirit can take wing and be lifted toward the infinite”. .” if I rise, frantic, from my bed, full of small concerns- the mystical flow of the imagination at rest will be broken, the past and the future will rush in to claim my mind, and I will be swept up into life’s petty details and myriad obligations”…”I pause and bow my head” …Amen
Yes. It is powerful Christie.
setting not sitting boy I need to proof read more carefully 🙂
Inspiring. Serenity of a quiet morning beautifully expressed.
Poetic wisdom in such simplicity of words.
The lines:
“Now is the moment
when I must pause
and life my heart..”
and
“What is needed is only
a passing of the heart
so the spirit can take wing
and be lifted toward the infinite.”
Even in the midst of a highly stressful situation when I ..pause.. and let my or on nature…like the gentle swaying of the branches, drifting clouds, gliding eagles, a leaf twirling down to kiss the earth, I connect to the Heart…and the words “All is well” makes its way into my being.
Your posts reflect the beauty of your Heart, Dave! You are a poet and a mystic at heart! 🙂
Thank You.
Thank you K*. “Aspirational poet and mystic!
Oops! A Correction: when I pause..and let my ~attention rest in itself~ or on nature..
Dawn is coming open your eyes…..
I’m a big fan of Jose Gonzalez. Hadn’t heard this tune. Thanks for sharing!
My prayer is that I would not rise frantic from my bed… all that should have been ease in the first half of the month has been pushed and pressed into the second half of the month and I feel frantic lying down. But, I must fight for what is sacred- or “the mystical flow of the imagination at rest will be broken, the past and the future will rush in to claim my mind, and I will be swept up into life’s petty details and myriad obligations.” Thank you for the gorgeous reminder. I plan to share it as well…
I’m with you Catherine. Thank you. Your comment reminds me of this:
As we go through our daily activities, we frequently get lost in thoughts of past and future, not staying grounded in the awareness of our bodies. For simple, useful feedback when we’re lost in thought, we can use the very common feeling of rushing. Rushing is a feeling of toppling forward. Our minds run ahead of us, focusing on where we want to go, instead of settling into our bodies where we are. Learn to pay attention to this feeling of rushing — which does not particularly have to do with how fast we are going. We can feel rushed while moving slowly, and we can be moving quickly and still be settled in our bodies. The feeling of rushing simply reminds us that we’re not present. If you can, notice what thought or emotion has captured the attention. Then, just for a moment, stop and settle back into the body: feel the foot on the ground, feel the next step.
~ Joseph Goldstein, A Heart Full of Peace
Beautiful and inspiringly helpful… thank you for sharing.
I simply love this. Renews my commitment to my ‘morning time.’ Thanks for sharing, David.
Thanks Vicki. Loved it too…
Reblogged this on Mostly My Heart Sings and commented:
To the childhood of the day…