The Best

It’s interesting to me that we spend our lives working to acquire the best things... the best clothes, the best education, the best partner. We mortgage our lives to drive the best car to the best home, in the best school district. We take pictures with the best iPhone and share it with the world.

But what happens when we achieve the best? Do we like the person we’ve become, the one we chose to do life with and the people we made? Do we play catch with the dog we had to have? Take off our shoes and walk in the grass we paid to grow? Do we turn off the lights and look at the stars? Do we wake up early, open the blinds and watch the sunrise?

Today, I had the good fortune to wake up 1500 miles from home. I opened my eyes, adjusting to the dark and thought through the morning ahead. From the comfort of bed I planned my day. ”Sunrise is at 7:11, so I need to be out the door by 6:40 to catch the best colors… this leaves me time to dress, drink coffee, journal and pray before I go.”

I slid out of bed quietly, padding down the stairs to make coffee. I grabbed a glass of water and settled in with my journal to recall the highlights from yesterday and finished with plenty of time to spare. Then, I remembered my coffee and I hadn’t dressed for my walk yet... and somehow it was now 6:38. My schedule feels out of whack- I’m trying new things for the first time in two years and I keep forgetting what I’m supposed to do. I took a moment to sip a bit of lukewarm coffee and dashed up the stairs to change clothes. Thankfully they were set out the night before, so up and down in a matter of minutes. I tied my tennies and dashed out the door 3 minutes behind schedule.

The beach was deserted this morning... the second workday of the new year. There was a lone fisherman to the south and I turned that direction to keep the sunrise in front of me. It’s too easy to forget to turn around once I get to the shell embedded dunes. I walked, without word or music in the pre-dawn light, watching the waves crash into the shore. I made it past the fisherman without a sound; he was focused on his empty hook, and I was busy looking for shells. I looked up to check the sun and almost ran into a fully grown crane standing as tall as I, staring intently at me. I’m sure she was wondering if I was going to stop or completely bowl her over in my quest for the perfect sunrise souvenir.

I startled and hopped back a bit. She tilted her head as if to say hello. And then majestically walked to the water’s edge. She stood, knee deep in the waves, watching the sun rise. We prayed together this morning, the crane and I; she with her silent attention and I on my knees on the dune, surrounded by broken shells and driftwood. Little birds twitted around her, yet she stood, unwavering, watching the sun. Two different creatures, the crane and I... unable to communicate, but both in awe of all He provides.

Suddenly, a feathered friend distracted my crane and they set off on a bit of a chase. I rose from my knees, gathered my belongings, and started back up the beach. There wasn’t a human to be seen, except the fisherman, up to his knees, tending his line.

The best homes line the beach... high rise condos and sprawling mansions. The best that money can buy and yet I was alone, with the fisherman and the crane to witness the most glorious show of the day.

 It seems to me many people are unsatisfied, sad, depressed, angry, and sick. Perhaps it’s because they have forgotten how to appreciate what is good and beautiful and free to experience, on their quest for the best.

What do you think?

Be Happy
xoxo