The Gift of Contrast
by Yvette Trujillo, RScP
This morning, I have peace in my heart. I can hear the day waking up. I see the shadows of trees and mountains begin to take shape as the light reveals their details, and there is an amazing cool breeze drifting through my open window, lightly kissing my skin on this rare mild summer morning. What a blessing to listen to the crickets and emerging birdsong, and to see these beautiful mountains develop into the deepest inky blue against a swirling steel-blue clouded sky.
This life of distinction is truly amazing. It is the remarkable part of being able to see myself as separate, to experience myself in contrast to the sky and the birds. I work so hard to remember my connection to all life, sometimes ridiculously trying to force myself, when one of the gifts of this life is first to see the tree, to be in awe of its magnificence, its beauty, its unique and effortless perfection. To love the tree and even long for the simple beingness of it, and then remember with an unexpected spark of awe that I can feel all over my body that the source of life that lives in that tree, expressing perfectly in this moment, is the truth of me.
I am that wonder and beauty that gives shelter to life and exists in perfection exactly as it is right now. I have nothing to achieve to reach perfection, nothing to do, no one to bend to or please—I just am. This peaceful morning reminds me that although I sit here and watch this miracle unfolding, if I could pan out, I would see that my presence here in this room, on this chair, with morning hair, drinking my coffee, observing and writing, is every bit the wonder that the crickets, birdsong, sky, tree, mountain, and fresh cool breeze are.
What a gift to stand apart and then remember that all this is a reminder of the life that lives within me, that it is enough to simply be. Thank you, sweet Spirit. And so it is.