También disponible en españolIt was a beautiful late spring morning, perfect for running in Southern Cal. I woke up late for a run before going to work; a mile into the route, dawn was peeking through that blue and gray haze of most mornings between May and October.
I started running at a slow pace, slower than marathon pace, in fact. The San Bernardino Mountains were in sight. The black silhouette of the mountains pasted over that hue of the sky appeared as though it had been drawn by an artist with charcoal over a canvas.
Near the end of the first mile, I noticed a row of palm trees behind a park on the left side of the street. Five or six of them towered elegantly on the horizon, each at least 25 feet high, the quintessential background of the L.A. skyline. The broad, lush trees that line up both sides of the street create a canopy that gives continuous shade to several city blocks. No cars were on the road that early morning, so I was able to run undisturbed, interrupted only by the sound of birds chirping while sitting atop the canopy, and the sound of water sprinklers spreading life over the manicured lawns of this quiet neighborhood.
Near the end of the first mile, I noticed a row of palm trees behind a park on the left side of the street. Five or six of them towered elegantly on the horizon, each at least 25 feet high, the quintessential background of the L.A. skyline. The broad, lush trees that line up both sides of the street create a canopy that gives continuous shade to several city blocks. No cars were on the road that early morning, so I was able to run undisturbed, interrupted only by the sound of birds chirping while sitting atop the canopy, and the sound of water sprinklers spreading life over the manicured lawns of this quiet neighborhood.
At about the fourth mile, there is a Catholic school, built on brick, with the architectural style of an east-coast university; next to it, there is a small chapel. There are five trees lined up along the front of the school; they resemble Japanese cherry-blossoms. At that time of spring, they are full of small lilac and pink flowers, and the contrast of the colored leaves against the red of the building was worth a photograph. It was close to 6 a.m. by the end of my workout, but both the sun and a waning moon were hanging out up above. The thoughts from those images filled me with joy and peace the rest of the day.
And then, something struck me. You see, my discovery on this particular morning as I neared the end of that familiar route is that I had observed the scenery with such detail. I found myself paying attention, and realized something deeper: I have run, walked, cycled, or driven on this street hundreds of times! Why didn't I notice the canopy of trees or the moon at dawn before?
How many times do we fail to pay attention to the beauty of our familiar, every day surroundings? In our hectic schedules, trying to "live" our busy lives, we get caught up for weeks on end - without paying attention. So often we miss the fact every day is a chance to contemplate creation, regardless of your route, independent of your routine, and especially, if you are in a spiritual rut.
It is easy to pay attention to the scenery when one is running through unfamiliar streets, a new trail, or when out and about during a trip. We can make the argument that if the ipod is on, or we have a running buddy, both would surely be a distraction. But after so many instances of running the same streets, one should know all the wonders that lie along the route.
"The LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:23-24 NIV.
It is easy to pay attention to the scenery when one is running through unfamiliar streets, a new trail, or when out and about during a trip. We can make the argument that if the ipod is on, or we have a running buddy, both would surely be a distraction. But after so many instances of running the same streets, one should know all the wonders that lie along the route.
Give yourself a few moments today for your senses to be in the awe of a new day, in the palpable evidence that our divine creator exists. I guarantee you will be amazed at what you discover, and the joy of "seizing the day" would likely last you until the next one.
Jairo Ospina
