Its a Beautiful Day
By
Beautiful Day by Ranmor
I always play music in the background in my classroom, because it creates a nice classroom environment and I believe it helps the learning process. The other morning as I was preparing for the day, I chose a CD I hadn’t played in a while and the first song that started playing was U2’s “It’s a Beautiful Day”. When I heard the lyrics, I stopped for a moment and thought, “Yes, it is a beautiful day”.
Every day is beautiful and full of wonder, but we are often so caught up with the thoughts in our monkey mind that we fail to realize this.
We worry too much, compare ourselves with others, whine and complain about stupid stuff and miss the beauty of the present moment. We let the chatter in our minds and negative thoughts overwhelm us instead of appreciating all the magic that surrounds us always.
“It’s a beautiful day, Don’t let it get away, It’s a beautiful day …” ~ Lyrics from U2’s “Beautiful Day”
As the lyrics played, I looked out the window at the magnificent clear sky and could still feel the crispness of the January morning air on my face (I live in Arizona, remember!). So yes, it really was a beautiful day. Then I looked around the classroom and was thankful that I love what I do for a living and work at a school that has provided me with all the technology and materials I need to effectively teach students. I reflected for a moment on my first two years of teaching (thankfully now a relatively distant memory) when I didn’t have a room and was the “art on a cart” lady. This made me think that everything in my life is flowing so smoothly at the moment and I really was filled with a sense of gratitude.
Later that day I was looking online for a free script to use with the drama class in the afternoon. I was scrolling down the screen, scanning the script when I was temporarily distracted by something. When I regained focus and looked back at the screen I was amazed to see the line “It’s a beautiful day” right as the song played in the background. It was like a synchronous sign from the cosmos that there is magic in every seemingly mundane moment.
Practicing the following three steps will help you appreciate the beauty of each day:
1. Develop a Sense of Gratitude
“When you are grateful fear disappears and abundance appears.” ~ Anthony Robbins
Very often we take things in our life for granted and are discontent. However when you are really full of gratitude your energy or vibration is at a much higher level, and therefore you attract positive events, people, and circumstances into your life. The reason for this is that gratitude is associated with the Sahasrara (crown) chakra which is located at the top of the head. Sahasrara means the “thousand-petalled lotus” and is connected with higher consciousness and energy levels.
When this chakra is activated you develop a connection with a higher source and everything flows beautifully in your life. So instead of whining and complaining, look around you and notice all the good things in your life. Try to do this as often as possible and develop a sense of awareness of your thoughts (especially any negative thoughts) and notice your emotional reactions or attitude in response to people and events in your life. If you consciously try to remain aware and focus on gratitude, you will see that every day really does seem full of wonder and beauty.
2. Don’t Compare Yourself with Others
“If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. … With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy”. ~ Desiderata by Max Ehrmann
We often compare ourselves with others and then feel discontent. Perhaps we think someone else has a better relationship, more money, a better job … the list is endless. This is a total waste of time and decreases our energy and vibration. Very often appearances are deceiving, and you may be envious of something that is not in fact true. It is important to totally accept yourself and your current circumstances fully and be grateful for what is working in your life. You have the power and ability to change what is not working if you so choose.
Comparison and jealousy are connected with the Vishuddhi (throat) chakra. This energy center is locked by constantly comparing yourself with others and then experiencing feelings of jealousy. It is necessary to clearly analyze your true desires and not be influenced by others (which are not easy with all the glossy marketing and advertising out there constantly suggesting that you are “not enough”). In reality we have many wants (desires) but few true needs.
The vishuddhi is unlocked by total acceptance of your uniqueness and expressing your creativity. A good way to clear the energy in the throat chakra is to get centered and then get creative!
3. Enjoy the Simple Pleasures and Be Present
“Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves – slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future”. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
We are always waiting for something “big” to happen before we consider ourselves truly happy. We’re waiting for the big raise, to get pregnant, win the lotto etc. However although it sounds kind of clichéd, there really is beauty in every moment if we truly stop and smell the roses.
Even something as simple as sitting down and enjoying a cup of tea (whether alone or with a friend) and being fully present in the moment can be a thing of beauty. There is a history of tea ceremonies in China and Japan and the purpose was to bring you in balance with nature, your five senses, and to induce a state of tranquility. In Ireland we have a tradition of “afternoon tea” where you gather with friends and enjoy wonderful tea, cakes, and pleasant company.
Try this experiment: Buy some special flavor of tea (often available at tea houses or herbal /alternative stores). Set aside some quiet “me” time and brew your tea. Pour it into a special cup and sit and enjoy the aroma and flavors. Try to be fully present in the moment and notice all the sounds in the distance (kids playing outside, cars driving by etc.) and the details of your surroundings (colors and textures of furniture fabrics etc). You can use this opportunity to try to just sit with an empty mind, or else use this time to daydream and think about something you would love to do e.g. I would love to hike the Grand Canyon etc.
If you would like to make this a more social event, invite a few close friends over and have an afternoon tea party or devise your own tea ceremony. Last year one of my friends wanted to go for afternoon tea to celebrate her birthday. We selected a tea house, but when I tried to make a reservation, the phone line was dead. It turned out the business had closed down. So I decided to hold a tea party at my house instead.
I set up a nice table in the dining room and took out the good china. I made sandwiches (without the crusts of course!) and everyone brought some cakes or delicacies to share. Of course I had a selection of nice teas also! It was a memorable afternoon filled with good friends and pleasant conversation, and everyone was enjoying the simple pleasures of life. It was so enjoyable and something to do that was out of the ordinary. Everyone had a lot of fun, and I think I’ve started a new tradition! My friends keep asking me the date for the next tea party!
See the Beauty in the Present Moment
So don’t be sitting around waiting for some future event to be truly happy. Be grateful for what is working well currently in your life, don’t compare yourself with others, and enjoy the simple pleasures!
What are you thankful for?
What are your true desires?
What simple everyday pleasures do you enjoy?
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