A New Day Dawns: Awakening Awareness

One early morning on a working trip in Portland (OR), I was walking along the river with a friend and work colleague.  The downtown area had its moments of quiet, but it also reverberated with the bangs, clangs, and noises of a city awakening: workers gathering yesterday's refuse; delivering today's supplies; and cleaning showroom windows and sidewalks.  Noises climbed skyward from the foundations of the buildings.

As we walked, the morning's light reflected on the river, and the cityscape sparkled with the day's first rays.  Messy, beautiful; noisy, stillness; solitude, connection.  New replacing old.

Portland Sunrise (Mark Toal Photography)

Just imagine: a new day dawns for each one of us as we climb out of yesterday's events, and try once more to become awakened and refreshed by this day's beginning:  letting go of what lingers; seeking to be renewed; hoping for energy to flow through this day.

Enjoying refreshing waters (The Oregonian)

What tools, though, do we consciously use when we seem alone and forgotten: one, among many; each seeking dreams so individual?  Do we look away: from the longing within and the desired interconnection with others?  Or, are we frozen in the statue-like stories of yesterday?

Homelessness: Looking Away (Homeless Poem, Ida Brandão)

As I walked silently along with my friend and work colleague, we began to dialogue about what was important to us: family and friends; frustrations and heaviness; hopes and dreams.

Through the vulnerability of sharing inner thoughts -- listening and hearing anew -- we began the day by seeking contact on a level that no one can take away, deliver, or clean-up.  It is up to us, individually and collectively, to respond to and protect these treasured beginnings

Dialogue -- sharing deeply, and listening -- allows us to open the day with the hope that someone is hearing, and has noticed.  And, as we move beyond these inaugural moments of the new day, it is imperative that we remain receptive to this openness and vulnerability with each person we meet.  We become the dialogue and connection that brings hope to others, allowing the first rays to radiate outward, creating a sparkle upon the cityscapes of our relationships.

The day dawns with an awakening awareness that we may not be alone after all: we are here for one another!

Questions to consider this week:

• Gathering yesterday's refuse:  What concerns or fears am I carrying into this day? 
• Delivering today's supplies:  What dreams and hopes do I have for this week?
• Cleaning showroom windows:  Where might I become vulnerable?  How might I share my inner thoughts with another person?
• Opening the walkways:  Are there times when I look away from another human being?  When have others not seen me?

May we take time this day and week to reflect on, share, and listen to what is important - the Self that is Other, and the Other that is Self!

Larry Gardepie