Life Started Again Today

Have you ever had one of those miserable mornings?
I have. Like today.

I was unable to sleep last night for a number of reasons, and then woke up an hour earlier than planned, unable to fall asleep again. I'm still recovering from illness, and have been afraid to eat much. Knowing I had a long shift ahead of me at work, I was very discouraged. Shaky and weak in almost every way. I just wanted to fall back and cry rather than stand up and go. We've all had mornings like that.

But worry not, my readers, for this post is not one of whining and grousing about how difficult life is. I do not do that, and it will get you nowhere. Rather, I want to come to you all and explain the miracle of the morning.

The trick is to think positively and take things one step at a time. I tried to smile. Since I had woken up early, I took my time getting ready and made sure to have as good a breakfast as I could come up with. I checked everything to make sure that I wouldn't forget anything, and wouldn't be left wanting later in the day. I tried to prepare as well as I could for the difficult day ahead.

Then I stepped outside. It was raining.

For some people this might be a distressing thing, but for me it is a small mercy. Rain is my favorite type of weather, bar none. Just think about it. Microscopic molecules are taken lifted individually from huge bodies of water miles away, oceans and lakes from all over. They are somehow transformed into disembodied shapeless forms miles in the air, traveling great distances on air currents, and finally falling in tiny droplets all around the world. Without it, we wouldn't have the mountains or the plants or the trees. We wouldn't have canyons or waterfalls or anything. Life would cease.

But beyond that, it is gorgeous. Everything is clean. Everything is fresh and alive. Colors are brighter, and life is sharper. How is that not miraculous?

In silence I took the drive to my bus stop. I refused to concern myself with traffic or construction, but instead made the conscious decision to hum some simple songs to myself and crack the window to let some of the rain in. I was able to make it to the bus in perfect time, and relaxed in silence, listening to mellow music until I reached campus.

While I sat, I started to take in the amazing innovations behind everything. The freeways, the cars, the reclining ability of the seats, the temperature control. How many hundreds or even thousands of brilliant minds were dedicated to the invention of these things? How many people take time every day to clean and upkeep them? How many people work with these things, doing jobs which I would be incapable of doing?

Stepping off the bus, the rain had mostly stopped.

The road from the bus stop to the main campus area is lined with thick ancient trees. There is a sense of security in roads like that. They are all lush and green now, no longer bare or covered in snow. I find peace walking that way every day. I'm so grateful for the well kept grounds on campus here. They're protective, shading you with a tunnel like effect, casting sunlight in different directions. Am I excited to see them in the autumn again? The answer is yes.

Surrounding the entrance to the school is my favorite part of spring.

Trees coated with blossoms. After the rain, the smell is incredible. Why are they even there? What is the point or function? Their existence does not sustain life. Sure they take care of themselves with pollination and such, but other trees seem to be able to get by without blossoms. They are not as essential to the world as the rain or the seasons. But they are there, if only to remind us that we are cared for even in the little things.

Soon, every little thing is a blessing in disguise.

I open my phone to look at the time, and in the folds of the case is a sample of my favorite cologne I grabbed while spending time with a friend yesterday. I'm suddenly full of gratitude and the friends I have and the memories I get to share with them, even in the little things. It is still in my pocket now, just waiting for my day to get stressful again so it can bring me some peace.

Walking through the Losee Center, on the digital school boards flashes an image of President Monson, and a quote from him, "Make Institute a Priority." For those who do not share my faith, President Monson is the leader of my church, and a man I admire greatly. I am so grateful that the time is coming close for Institute classes to start again. I'm so grateful at the opportunity I have to go and spend time there with my friends, learning about these things that make me a stronger and better person. I'm so grateful for that man and the other leaders of my faith, whose words bring me peace in even the most difficult of times.

Feeling ill and faced with the flights of stairs I usually dedicate myself to every day, I find solace in the fact that I don't have to take them. How silly is it that the fact that elevators exist made me so happy this morning? I knew that if I took the stairs as I normally do, it would leave me very weak when I was finished. But for the elevator, there was no waiting, and no one else even on them. What a fantastic invention.

I get to work, and there's a cool glass of water waiting on my desk. Before opening the doors, the advisers and I joke about just turning off the lights and sleeping the morning away. I'm not alone in being tired. Two of the advisers have even called in sick. I'm not alone in not feeling well.

That is my morning miracle, ladies and gentlemen. My efforts to turn my horrible morning into a tolerable morning were met with amazing assistance by everything around me. It is impossible for me to not smile today. Whether you are religious or not, it's impossible to deny how amazing this world is.

Am I exhausted? Yes. Am I weak? Yes. Do I still have a lot ahead of me today? Yes. Can I handle it? Heck yes. My toes are freshly painted, I've got my favorite cologne in my pocket, and I'm wearing a cute hat today. Bring it on.

Isn't it amazing, the little things do you take for granted every day?