Viral Happiness

Today, I watched clouds.

I sat for an hour in my backyard, and stared up into the sky.

The clouds, full and white, drifted like majestic, shape-shifting islands across the deep blue of sky.

It was magnificent.

When I was young, I watched clouds. And I watched them again when my children were young. But I had not watched them with awareness in a long, long time – until today.

And that, I think, was the biggest gift…the gift of being aware.

We spend our time rushing through life, barely skimming the surface. We are caught up in a very narrow slice of this existence. We act as though so much of what we experience is ordinary, when, in actuality, our lives are miraculous.

Our perspective is mundane, not our journey.

We allow inanity to preoccupy our thinking: “Why is that jerk talking so loud on his cellphone? Is our landscaping as pretty as the neighbor’s? Why doesn’t my boss appreciate  me?” While underneath that surface, underneath everything we experience, there is a continuing miracle.

Try this. The next time you go shopping, make eye contact with the person at the checkout. See them as someone real, someone with the same hopes and dreams and feelings as you. Try understanding your coworkers. Spend time with your loved ones. Be open and loving and available. Don’t be guarded. Refuse to feel hurt. Let other people be themselves. Don’t judge them. Just be aware of them. Be aware of their hearts. Be aware of their souls. Don’t presuppose. Take heed of emotional needs. Give yourself away.

In your heart, you know you have an important part to play. The time has come for you to play it. Don’t be afraid. You are strong and wise, even when you feel weak and stupid. Be aware of your strength. Be aware of your wisdom. Be aware of the real you.

Just be aware.

Be aware that this creation is much more wonderful and complex than we can imagine. Be aware  of your own immensity. Be aware of the voice of God.

Turn off your TV, go outside, and watch the the clouds.