GRATEFUL.....

A series of essays.....





~~BREAKING THROUGH THE MORNING FOG~~

.....as seen through my eyes!

By: Jacqueline E. Hughes


When I swing my legs out of bed each morning, before they remotely make contact with the carpeting, there is a small and concise ritual I go through in order to jump-start my day.  With our mornings remaining dark...cozy even, until well after six-thirty, the atmosphere is conducive to a relaxed mood and a clear mindset. 

This is my time to converse with that which I believe to be the all-connecting power that is greater than myself and unites us, mankind, together as a whole; one entity that defines our existence and qualifies our essential nature.  I have always accepted that we are not set upon this beautiful place we live, Mother Earth, alone and helpless. We will always have and need one another.

So, my ritual is one of Thanksgiving....and here all this time you thought this celebration only lasted one day, the fourth Thursday in the month of November, and called "Turkey Day!!"  Not exactly.  I sit comfortably with my shoulders back, my back straight and eyes closed.  When I am ready, after taking several deep, intoxicating breaths, I repeat out loud, as often as I wish, two simple words...two words we teach our children to say whenever they are grateful for something...a new toy, an unexpected surprise or a simple compliment.  I say, "Thank You...Thank You...Thank You!"  Very straightforward.

After all, it's pretty wonderful to be able to move, sit-up and breathe each morning, isn't it?  We are alive to meet-and-greet yet another day and that, in and of itself, is intrinsically cool! 

Opening my eyes to the new day, it's now time to formulate a simple plan for myself.  It's time to set my intentions for the day.  Yes, making coffee as soon as possible is a good plan.  More of a mandatory requirement for my well-being and sanity rather than a good intention, however.  My thoughts are more in terms of having a purpose or a goal set for the day and to design a strategy with the intent of achieving it with grace and dignity.  My goal may be as uncomplicated as intentionally sharing a smile with everyone I meet or being productive and focussed enough to write two-thousand words by the end of my workday.  Whatever my purpose is, my intent is to see it through to fruition knowing that if I do not..., I will not beat myself up over it.  I will only try harder the following day.

This is now the time that I sit back and smile, smile, smile as big and wide as I possibly can!  You know the kind of smile I'm talking about.  The kind that raises your cheeks up high, fills your body with warmth and makes you feel a bit silly sitting alone in the dark looking like the Cheshire Cat on a good day!  With his distinctive and mischievous grin, you can almost hear this Tabby Cat's quote from Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland,' published in 1866, and remains prevalent today: "Most everyone's mad here.  You may notice that I'm not all there myself."

The Cheshire Cat
Illustrated by John Tenniel in the 1866
Publication of 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'

I cannot take myself seriously this early in the morning!  But, I know that my intentions are good and smiling makes me feel good.  So, if  during this long, complicated day, I feel as though my body wishes to disappear from time to time, the last thing visible on my face will be an iconic grin depicting a win for the 'good guys!'

Florida Essentials

Before slipping my waiting feet into the tan, Crocs flip-flops, affectionately known as 'my slippers,' in order to begin my day (by making a fresh pot of coffee), there is one last step to be taken in my morning ritual.  This is the time for me to forgive myself and ease my guilt over  yesterday's mistakes.  I remember the goal of two-thousand words yesterday that only added-up to be five hundred.  Perhaps my smiles were not as lavished upon others as I had originally intended.  Was I a bit too short-tempered with a loved-one who made an innocent mistake? 

This is where you set yesterday's misguided actions aside and actually try to understand Scarlett O'Hara's mantra from the classic movie, 'Gone with the Wind,' based on the novel written by Margaret Mitchell.  "I can't think about that right now.  I'll think about that tomorrow.  After all... tomorrow is another day."  The idea of putting things off for another day always represented inadequacy in the form of  failure or shame.  Placing my stubbornness and strong will aside for a moment in order to see a much broader picture of the world, and having lived, well....., let's just say, a few years now beyond my twenties, the importance of being patient and more tolerant becomes normal and acceptable.  Especially when dealing with myself!

As soon as I realize that there is yet another chance of 'getting it right' and my deep breaths represent twenty-four new hours of hope and determination, it's easy for me to forgive myself for yesterday's mistakes.  It's time to move on....




My Favorite Mug!!

Now, sitting here sipping my coffee and having placed my day, my life, in order, I realize how cherished these few minutes alone each morning really are for me.  Between the tantalizing aroma of the fresh brew and the prospect of a new day, a new beginning.... and with a  smile on my face the Cheshire Cat would certainly be proud of, I remain calm and carry on.

Author's Note:
I am extremely grateful for being able to witness this morning the highly successful launch of the Orion Spacecraft test flight over in Cape Canaveral a few miles away!  Awesome, NASA!  And, continued good luck....



Copyright © 2014 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved