Awake the Dawn

Dear friends,

Welcome to this morning meditation,

A mindful reflection as we wake up and notice the light of a new day.

To begin,

I invite you to take a deep breath and could I draw your attention to the most amazing fact that you can possibly imagine?

The fact that you are alive here and now.

Through the miracle of science you are listening to this.

You could be around the corner from me here in Dublin,

Or you could be sitting way across the planet.

Our blue planet,

An oasis of life,

The blue ball spinning and hurtling through space at a speed beyond imagining,

Even as you sit quietly in your meditation space.

Both of us are oblivious to the fact that there's any movement going on at all.

But amazing as all this is,

You can somehow get your head around it.

After all,

The planet evolved over eons of time,

And eventually people evolved on the earth to the point where they could create the sound system that you're listening to today.

But your own existence,

Your own life,

Is truly amazing beyond your wildest imaginings.

The fact that you and I are here at all is just beyond extraordinary considering that each of us is the product of countless possibilities and numberless combinations of coincidences all required to happen over millennia to result in you and I sitting here today.

It's just amazing when you think of it.

So as we awake to the light of a new day,

The first thought which must come to our minds must be one of profound gratitude.

We have done nothing to deserve this,

Nothing to deserve what is truly a gift beyond price.

Let's pause to allow ourselves a little time to express thanks for the amazing fact of our existence.

A quote from John O'Donoghue.

Each morning we awaken to the light and the invitation to a new day in the world of time.

Now that we are here on this extraordinary journey,

The question is how can we possibly respond to it?

If we had won the lotto there would be the simpler question of whether we spend the money on ourselves or whether we put it to use where it's needed most.

But this life of ours is even more finite,

More precious than money and it is ours to apply in the way we decide.

So today,

Resolve to make a small difference in your world.

For most of us it is a small world.

Our neighbourhood,

The place where we work and play and of course our own home and our family circle.

Some listeners to this might have the privilege and the responsibility of influencing people on a wider scale and if so may all our blessings accompany you in that important endeavour.

The commitment to good where someone is in a position of influence is a real gift in response to which a person would be happy to dedicate a whole life's work.

But in the ordinary life of every one of us there is a space where our talents and our opportunities overlap and here is where we can make a difference in our little world.

It begins when we encounter the very first person we meet in the day.

It can be someone at home or someone near us,

Someone whom we possibly take for granted.

Can we remember today to look on that first person with eyes of real compassion and real interest?

As the day proceeds,

Can we watch out for opportunities to do good,

To offer the encouraging word,

To volunteer to help,

To really listen and to listen without feeling the need to bud in with a nerdy reply as soon as the other person pauses.

Sometimes all the other person requires is that we be there listening.

And you will be surprised when you observe how rare it is for people to listen.

It's just as if we are radio stations rather than radio receivers.

So let's give ourselves a little period to consider the people and the circumstances we are likely to encounter today and see if we can plan to be the light in someone else's life before the day ends.

There are many opportunities for involved social action and we might see if we can manage to dedicate time in an organised way to help lubricate the wheels of society.

If we were to suffer the loss of the voluntary sector,

The world would be a much poorer place,

Not only for those worked for but for those who themselves benefit by the built in reward that comes from helping others.

As the well known hymn by Carl Owens says,

Freely,

Freely you have received,

Freely,

Freely give.

But it is in the everyday encounters that we can make the greatest difference watching out for the other,

Deliberately making the first approach,

Making an opportunity to speak to someone who appears lonely or distressed,

Really watching out and really listening out for the people we meet day by day and not taking people for granted.

This is an amazing new day.

It is really beyond belief that we are here.

The least we can do is to respond with a gratitude that is expressed in love and concern for our fellow travellers on this amazing journey of life.

So today let's put our best foot forward and act as people of peace.

Hopefully we will not encounter hatred but where we do,

Let us not add fuel to that fire.

Let us see difference as something to be celebrated and not feared.

Gloom as a prompt to turn on a little light.

If we see someone bereaved,

Let us realise that we cannot understand how they feel so just be with them.

If we encounter sadness,

Let us be the listening ear,

Someone who shows a willingness to listen and who tries to understand.

If someone points out a glass half empty,

Draw attention to the fact that it is also half full.

If we see someone in despair,

Let us try to find some reasons for hope,

However slight.

In a world where truth is harder to find,

Let us do nothing to spread rumours.

Before we speak,

Let our words pass through these three gates.

Is it true?

Is it necessary?

Is it kind?

Notice that in the depths of the best of us,

There is the frightening capacity to do wrong.

So remember to water the seeds of goodness in ourselves and in other people.

Notice too that in the heart of the worst of us,

There is at least one spark of goodness.

Try to find that spark and try to kindle it.

The end of our reflection with this thought from the Native American tradition.

When you arise in the morning,

Give thanks for the morning light,

For your life and your strength.

Namaste.