The day dawns gradually. Whatever, the weather conditions, day comes steadily. Around 4:53 a.m., the sky is midnight blue. So dark is it that the blinking lights on top of distant buildings are crystal clear as they do the off-on safety warnings. A plane periodically crosses the dark-denim stratosphere and all one can see are the red and white lights on its hull. Less than a minute later, the firmament is a cobalt blue.
By the second, the darkness relinquishes its grip on the sky. On the eastern edge of the horizon, there is a watermark of sweet potato orange. Though almost invisible, it is ushering in a sapphire blue sky. The lights atop the buildings twinkle faithfully, and the lights of planes are still visible, but neither is crystal clear anymore. They are a little hazy against the lighter blue of the sky. The darkness eases westward by the second; the day is approaching in the east.
Soon, just above the eastern horizon, the arch of powder sapphire blue widens. The band of blue is supported by the tangerine carpet right at the line of the horizon. A plane glides above the horizon in the powdery blue. Its lights are now somewhat muted as are the winking lights on the roofs of buildings. The heaven between the east and west horizons is a maya blue. A plane makes its way north—just a steady moving smooth light across the blue-hued sky. The jet is gaining altitude and is surely moving faster every second, but it appears to be just gliding in an ocean of light blue.
The lighter blue pushes the sapphire blue westward. The midnight blue was vanquished minutes ago. Baby blue is overhead, whitish blue spreads out above the horizon. The orange is thin today. Just a wash of carrot coloring—a watermark of honey orange. The light is replacing the darkness. By 5:30 a.m., the darkness has retired. The day fully arrives in baby blue.
Can we awaken gradually like the day? In the initial moments of consciousness, slowly inhale and exhale deeply two or three times. Stretch while still in the bed and then gently, easy does it, sit up. Awaken gradually, gently like the day.
Reflections
Each day is a gift. What will you do with this gift of today?
What does your mood in this moment add to the day?
Practice awakening gradually as suggested in the meditation. Then note how you work and relate to others during the day.
Resource: Bob Anderson & Jean Anderson. Stretching.2020
Dorothy Watson Tatem, D. Min., ACC
Senior Associates
Next Step Associates, LLC
Cassandra W. Jones, Ed.D.
CEO & President
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