Nature Journal #1: Sunrise Walk

 Nature Journal #3: Sunrise Walk

September 11th, 2023

There is something so peaceful about rising before the sun. The world is still quiet and much of it still dark. Especially living surrounded by college students, the serenity of an early morning is exacerbated by the fact that 20 something year-olds tend to stay in bed as long as possible. I’ve always been an early riser; however, sometimes that meant I was at the gym or the yoga studio or doing homework inside in the early morning hours. And while all those things are still true sometimes, I have found myself forcibly awake and out and about more frequently this year. I attribute this to the work schedule and early morning class that I haven’t had previously.

These mornings make me aware of nature simply because it smacks me in the face; I can’t ignore the sun when it comes beaming through my car window in the morning. When a bird nearly slams into my windshield, the least I can do is spend a passing thought thinking about the birds and its life. I’m finding more and more that I sometimes need nature to smack me in the face for me to be aware of it. 

This particular morning I walked outside planning to go on a short run to the gym and then probably spend the rest of my day inside at work. However, as I turned off my street absent-mindedly, I was struck by the colors in the sky. The world had a tint to it- a blueish purplish hue, and it was amazing. Low in the sky came the beginnings of the sun, and the sky was streaked with orange. I heard nothing but the sounds of a few birds. All I did was stand there for probably 10 or so minutes watching the world go by. It is rare to catch a moment without another person or without the sounds of TCU construction and morning traffic. 

This morning walk reminded me of solitude and of true silence. As somebody who often has a packed schedule and constant stimulation, the quiet is good for me. It is good for my heart and good for my mind. I was smiling ear to ear at this unplanned miracle; this glimpse of my day that I didn’t plan, couldn’t predict, and couldn’t have imagined is ultimately what reminded me of all the good in the world. Coincidentally, or maybe not, it was also 9/11, and I found the reminder of beauty and healing so comforting when this day can also be a reminder of all the horrific loss our nation suffered 22 years ago. Overall, I’m grateful for sunrises, and I’m grateful for a world bigger than my plans and imagination. 






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