Deep Breadth

Mitch is nearing the end of his morning routine. The routine has a predicable schedule, up at 5, gym by 6, shower by 7 and on to the office.  Once at his desk he'll plug into the world, but for the moment, he goes through the motions without initiating any more voluntary thought than someone might give to his own heartbeat. It is a routine that after countless repetitions provides comfort in its familiarity like a favorite flannel shirt but it has also dulled his attention to detail.  On these mornings, his mind is like a butter knife whose blade is perhaps useful but hardly dangerous.

Arriving at the office this morning, he parks his car in its regular place.  Taking a last swig of lukewarm coffee Mitch opens his door and sighs at the slightly annoying but insistent ping warning him that his headlights are still on.  They were hardly needed in the early morning twilight but he had taken no notice.  After switching off the lights, Mitch retrieves his faithful briefcase from the backseat.  The heavy cloth bag has been a constant companion for many years and has traveled untold miles. With its handles worn and seams fraying it looks almost as tired as Mitch feels this morning.  He starts toward the building; on complete autopilot, repeating this last part of his regular morning ritual one more time.

After just a few steps, though, he hesitates.  For some curious reason the fog of complacency that generally surrounds Mitch for this short walk from car to desk dissipates.  He feels an unusual sense of clarity as he is drawn deeply into the moment.  He has no perception of the cause.  Maybe it was the caress of the fresh, fall, air on his face or maybe the subtle sound of the leaves rustling in the nearby trees.  Perhaps it could have been the sweet smell of the autumn morning on the slight breeze. In any case, he gives the reason no more than a passing consideration.  He realizes that this is a pleasant, grace filled moment and he is content to allow it to lift his spirit. He is tuned into the surroundings and he allows his attention to be completely given over to the new awareness.  He can almost feel his senses wake up, stretch and yawn as they begin processing the world around him.  The parking lot is quiet and nearly empty.  The expanse of the rich black surface is dotted with small circles of oil between long white lines in a Morse code of dashes and dots. The sun is just beginning to color the clouds on the horizon a perfect complement of pale pink and light grey.  The phrase "the dawn breaks" comes to mind and he discards it as too negative for the what he is experiencing.  Here, at this moment,  the dawn blooms and his senses drink in the beauty of the sunrise.

After a few more steps, there is another hesitation. Mitch takes a deep breath, filling his lungs with the cool, crisp morning air. He can feel it swell his chest and seep into his being.  He relaxes shoulders, his brow, his mind.  A few more steps and Mitch steals one more deep breath thinking how wonderful it would be if he could hold it in for the entire day.  Reluctantly he begins a slow and deliberate exhale as he captures a last glance at the sky, now bright with color.  With renewed purpose, he moves on toward the office with a profound sense of gratitude for the gift of this simple moment that could have been so easily overlooked.