I tend to be easy to please.  Barring a specific stressor, I am generally content.  Even so, some days shine brighter for seemingly no reason at all.

This morning, the dog was rushing me to get up at dark thirty.  The cat was meowing her head off, demanding breakfast earlier than usual.  After waiting, waiting, waiting, I realized I never turned on the coffeepot I was waiting for.

Sounds like a set up for a pretty rough day, huh?  So why is it, that I thanked the dog for being my alarm clock and the cat for reminding me she missed dinner the night before and for the coffeepot for a lesson in patience?

Because, in between these potentially irritating events, I was aware of my back hurting less than the day before; of the birds practicing their morning serenade; I was appreciative of an early night, allowing for my now early morning.  Mindfulness.  I didn’t intend it to become the theme of the week but there it is.

This mindfulness permitted me a deeper understanding of more than just myself.  I am aware that Otis (dog) is old and his bladder can’t wait as long as it once could.  I am aware that Kiki (cat) spent the night outside so never got to her dinner.

And the wait for coffee?  I took advantage of this extra time and stepped out onto the front porch to lavish in the scents and sounds of the break of a new day.  In this moment, as the world awakes, potential has never been greater.