Awareness

Sitting outside for a few minutes this afternoon. There's a little chill in the air, but the sun feels warm on my back. I rest my hands at the back of my head and close my eyes, noticing the sun's heat, the cool breeze on my face, and the tension in my shoulders. I am otherwise comfortable. I focus on the sounds around me, the birds, the aircraft overhead, even the Life Flight chopper in the distance. I hear the wind in the grass, someone's footsteps, and I'm aware of the voices of young people--college students--drifting into my consciousness. I've been a part of this campus a long time now, nearly 14 years, and each year there are fresh new faces taking the tour of the grounds. I'm old enough to be the parent now, I think to myself and chuckle. The buildings are the same, the sound of birds are the same, the dull throng of traffic in the distance is the same. But I am not the same. I am forever evolving, changing for the better--older, wiser, more complete. I would never have stopped to notice these things 14 years ago. How lucky I am to be able to take the time now, to enjoy these things and all the neat stuff I'll get to experience in hopefully many more years to come. It's good to slow down, and it's good to be mindful, I think.