Hello Sun

Since we got back to LA a few days ago I have continued a new habit that I discovered while we were on our very long vacation in Vermont. That is, the practice of waking up before dawn and going for a walk or a hike or a bike ride to watch the sun rise.

In Vermont there was a spot where I could walk to see the sun actually rise over the distant mountains. But often I would go out on the lake instead, take a canoe to the middle and just watch the sky change colors.

I mentioned this to my neighbor, who often greets the day from his surfboard and his response was, “that’s a real game changer.” No kidding. After just a couple of weeks of getting outside before dawn, my whole life feels different. It’s not just the exercise, or taking some time alone first thing in the morning, though both are part of it. It is literally greeting the day as it starts that seems the most profound to me. It fills me with gratitude, just for being alive.

Now that I am back in Pasadena, I have started hiking up the mountain near my house to watch the sky fill up with light. I take pleasure in being the first car to park outside the gate and start up the trail while it is still pretty dark. I don’t bring a flashlight because I know it will be light enough in few minutes. At first there are no birds singing and the loudest sound is my feet hitting the dirt. But just as the light begins to filter through and the bushes along the path are starting to be articulated, the first bird song will start. And for a few minutes it is only one but soon there are too many to count and I start to see dark shapes fluttering here and there.

As I get through the lower trees and start to gain some altitude, the cityscape is still dotted with street lights. But by the time I am half way up the hill, the street lights are out and the sun’s low golden light is starting to crawl across the valley. I keep looking back over my shoulder to measure it’s progress and enjoy the changing colors. If I am going to the top, sunlight will have filled the valley by the time I get there. From up there I can see in all directions, but more mountains keep me from seeing the sun yet. The colors are still lingering, pink and baby blue, and a thick layer of smog is still settled over downtown. Ah pollution.

Another hour later and I am home, a three hour hike behind me, ready to start anything, be anything, do anything. I feel great!