365 Inspirations—289: A Moment in the Parking Lot

Fall Leaves at EdCC

“What day is it?"
"It's today," squeaked Piglet.
"My favorite day," said Pooh.—A.A.Milne 

At 4pm, right before a 4 hour-straight teaching stint at the college where I work, I had a moment in the parking lot. I had just come from the office where I was preparing my lesson plans for the evening. I was running around here and there and wondering how I'd get everything done before my class and then....

I just stopped.

I stood right there in the parking lot for several moments staring at trees.

The late afternoon sun cast a warm light on the already glowing maple trees with leaves of gold, orange and red. It was just stunning. I couldn't move.

For those moments, I didn't think about my classes, my life, how I would figure things out, what I needed to do.

I let the cool air penetrate me. I forgot to wear a jacket. The bright orange cardigan I was wearing was not quite warm enough, but I was okay with that. I wanted to feel the season.

How did it get here so fast? How did the leaves change so fast? Was I fully present for it all, or was I keeping up with my schedule, nose to the grindstone, head in my books, hands on my keyboard, no time to look up?

Now I was looking up—looking up at the beauty all around me. I walked through campus to my class. I felt uplifted and light-hearted. I felt centered and calm. 

What a difference a few moments in the parking lot can make!

When you are in a hurry, do you ever just stop to witness where you are?