Have you ever looked around you and noticed that everyone seems to be asleep?
I mean asleep as in not noticing their own lives passing them by…as in walking around trapped in their own thoughts or routines and not realizing the depth and joy of experience they are missing by ignoring the present moment?
In the early hours of Sunday morning I was on a plane returning from a lovely Caribbean holiday. Outside my window was an absolutely stunning view, and I believe the whole situation can be used as a metaphor.
Picture this: Off to the left a thunderstorm, with billowing, building clouds being lit up dramatically every few seconds with orange, white and blue streaks of lightning. Off to the right a serene full moon, and far below a vast expanse of water reflecting the orange-y full moon peacefully. Opposite, another aircraft heading the other way, its lights blinking in the darkness the only evidence of its passing. Above, a velvety dark sky carpeted with brilliant points of starlight. All this framed within one small plane window!
With this stunning array of beauty being displayed right beside me, I couldn’t help but pause my in-flight movie and gaze out in awe. Many times I gasped as the lightning lit up the clouds – it was indeed breathtaking.
Then I looked around the plane’s interior…insert scratching record sound here! Everyone else on the plane was either sleeping or watching a movie, entirely oblivious to the once-in-a-lifetime view they were missing just outside their windows. Only my husband – who had moved to another seat behind me so he could also gaze out the window (and he’s an airline pilot!) – and I noticed and appreciated the gift we were given. While we were tired and could easily have slept, the desire to capture this moment in our minds overrode the fatigue. Why were we the only ones?
All this to say, is it possible that you, too, are missing out on some life-changing experiences and possible sources of deep joy by being ‘asleep’ to your present moments?…
