I have recently been studying how important it is to put good things into your mind the minute you first awaken in the morning. Trevor Johnson in “Alpha Brain Waves – How to Relax Deeply” explains:
“The most typical time to achieve the correct state (of relaxation) is right before sleep or right after a person wakes up. At this time, the mind is clear, highly receptive to information, and begins to rapidly make connections and open up to thoughts and realizations. When you first wake up in the morning, your brainwaves are functioning highly. Research shows that immediately becoming alert and perceptive of your day’s plans upon waking is a great way to get them done.”
So, what that means for us is that instead of grumbling and immediately launching our worry rocket into the day’s activities, a smarter thing to do is to see the day unfolding in a miraculous way, full of joy and peace. Oh, what wonderful things are going to happen today? We program our day the moment we awaken. It takes discipline, but it is well worth it.
I was stunned this morning as I awakened to the feel of cool air blowing in from the open window and the sound of rain falling onto the metal roof of our log cabin. I consciously lay there a few minutes to ponder on the rain. What a contrast to yesterday’s bright blue skies and 70 + degree temperatures. And yet, the rain wears its own beauty. See it, hear it, sense it? Can you smell the fragrance as it releases its abundance onto Mother Earth? What an opportunity to pull the cozy blankets up a little tighter, snuggle for just a few more moments, and simply be present in full appreciation of the raindrops.
Ah, the contrast. Were it not for the contrast of the rain, we might not fully appreciate the sun’s glow. And yet, let us not underestimate the significance of the rain. Were it not for the rain, our plants, flowers, animals, and humans could not survive. On this morning, however, my thoughts keep taking me back to the concept of contrast and the importance of fully embracing contrast, even if it doesn’t feel good at the time.
I reflected on the “Gotcha!” that happened to me earlier in the week. I fully admit I did not appreciate the contrast when I was in the thick of it. Every possible thing that could go wrong with our home computers continued to go wrong, to the point that I could not ignore the problem one more minute. After working 3 hours to rectify the situation and accomplishing absolutely nothing, I burst into tears and announced to my husband that I was going to take a walk. Just before I opened the door to leave, I decided to pull an “Angel Medicine” card (Dr. Doreen Virtue) to see if I could make any sense of this futile, frustrating computer illiteracy I constantly find myself in. The card I randomly pulled was that of Shanti:
“I am the Angel of Peace. I bring you new tranquility, and a smoother road ahead. You have been through turmoil, and your soul is tired. Your mind craves peace and quiet, and I am here to help you with that desire. I will give you new opportunities to spend time alone, where you can relax your mind and heart. I will bring tranquility to your soul so that you can mirror the peace of mind that is your true Divine nature.
Like the angels, you are able to hover within the eye of any hurricanes that may swirl around you right now. Through breath and intention, you can stay centered no matter what’s happening in your life. This inner foundation of peace has a powerful healing effect. Your outer life soon reflects your inner peacefulness. Smooth roads are ahead for you, and the worst is behind you now. A peaceful outcome to this situation is assured.”
Oh, what a poor display of “staying centered” I had just demonstrated. When I returned home, my husband handed me a piece of paper with the name and number of a computer repair person who comes highly recommended.
A couple hours later I poured myself into the car and headed to a meeting that I was internally whining about. I really did not want to attend, but my presence was required. At that moment, I pushed the CD button on my car, and within sixty seconds Dr. David Hawkins set me straight. Paraphrased, this is what he said to me, “If you are in a complete tizzy now, relax and be grateful for it. It is all a part of your growth and development. Ten years from now you won’t even remember that you had this seemingly insurmountable issue. It was needed for your expansion.”
Oh, David, you are so right! How did I miss it, once again? The contrast helps us to grow, much as the rain helps the spring flowers to pop their little heads out of the ground, ready to experience new life. Thank you for the contrast. Annie, you had it right too, “The sun will come out tomorrow…tomorrow there will be sun.” But for today, let us live into, fully experience, and appreciate the contrast, for without the contrast we cannot grow into the person we were meant to become. Just know that the sun is always there, patiently waiting for us, just beyond the raindrops.
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