Waking Up

For your consideration…….

Today’s message is literal. It is not about waking up spiritually per say. It is about the everyday act of waking up. I admit that this was not the photo I had in mind when I went searching. I was looking for something with an alarm clock. But when I saw this little guy, I couldn’t resist. Don’t you just know how he feels? Yeah, well that attitude is what today’s message is about.

So obviously this message will be much easier for some than others. I absolutely hated when I had jobs where I had to be gone before my  daughter, Alex, had to wake up because she always…..always wakes up with a smile. It doesn’t’ matter if she has had 2 or 12 hours of sleep. She wakes up with a smile. I think it is safe to say most of us do not wake up like that.

More than a few of us wake up like the little boy in the picture. Still others choose to sleep until the last-minute and then have to hop up and hit the ground running.

We are being asked today…..all of us…..to start our day with a pause. We are asked to wake up and reflect on where we are, what we have and where we HOPE to go. We are asked to stop and ground ourselves….get in tune with our compass….before we start the day.

I mediate each morning so this makes perfect sense to me. But that is not what everyone is being called to do. It is great if you can and certainly we should all do it sometime during a day. However, that may not be practical. That shoe just doesn’t fit everyone. No, what we are being asked is different. It is just a pause and reflection….just long enough to remember who we are, recognize our value and commit to being the best we can be today.

That is the HOPE. And so it is.

Bit by bit, piece by piece, HOPE by HOPE action steps anyone can take……..

-Meditate/pray……ground yourself.

-Drink lots of water….at least half your body weight.

-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breaths.

-Remember what you are grateful for. Write it down.

What made me smile yesterday……..

-Stillwater. I hunkered down in front of the fireplace while the snow storm stormed.

-I caught up with friends, Jody and Carol.

-A great book.

-A caring husband. Yes, I do get annoyed that he worries but if I pause and see it for the love behind it, it makes me feel good.

Love, Blessings and Gratitude,

Rev. Chris