The sun has risen so bright that it eclipses the scene below. Too bright to peer at directly, the sun overrides visual clarity of all else. So where do we look...A hint of tree tops in the distance, a few outlines of houses lining up nearby?  Color has blended into white light and black background. This happens in life. Some circumstances blind our discernment. We can't see clearly or even take in the obvious, feeling overwhelmed. Like sitting in the blinding sun, it may help to just close the eyes a while, look inside, bask in whatever warms amidst the circumstance, until clarity returns. We were meant to rest, and the sun was made a gift.

In what way can you give yourself a rest today?
What might you gain if you took a break from trying to solve the problem of a blinding circumstance?

The spotted landscape jumps with color this morning. Orange, green, and brown leaves hanging on to the trees, watching others below; brilliant red dots of roses holding strong on the shrubs lining the houses; small openings in the clouds, allowing ivory patches to light up the steel blue sky, and brown and yellow specks scattered across the green lawns. It speaks of the messy order of life. What appears to be confused, or nonsensical, has a purpose and perfect construct to it for our lives. The challenge is whether we can see the beauty in the chaos, and embrace the harmony of the collective dissonance.

If you step back from your problem or frustration, what do you notice about how it fits into your life's  purpose?

Across the sky are gray strips moving in synchronicity. A glance away and then back reveals a brilliant pink layer breathing a joyful color in to the darkened ceiling. It makes the soul leap with its sudden appearance. A glance away and it's gone. The stretches of gray appear as if the pink was never there.
In life we have moments of joy that come unexpected. They light up the present, and soothe the soul. We know they can't last. It's easy to dismiss them. Yet if we avoid looking away in our busyness of life, their impression will sink into our hearts to supply joy when needed. Linger in the joy...

What are some joyful moments that you recall which can still make you smile?

Look for moments of surpring joy today and linger there a while.