The Apples in My Orchard

I have come to realize that one of the things I prize most in the world is uniqueness.  The thought came to me this morning when I rushed to capture the sunrise for the second time in a week, and third time in less than 10 days.

Each one deserves a photo and a moment of appreciation because they are all different, all unique. The colors in each vary in hue and intensity, and even their placement on the morning horizon. No two are ever the same. Each draws my attention from the busyness of the morning, beckoning me to stop and pay attention to the gift the universe is offering, if only for a very few minutes in time.

How many have I missed due to being asleep, being in the shower, packing a lunch, or just not paying enough attention?  Plenty, I would guess. But, I would also guess that I’ve seen more than most because I now find myself looking for this moment in time, a moment to pause and capture a unique start to my day.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized what I was prizing was the uniqueness of each sunrise. What would I see today? What colors would be most intense? How would they be painted in the distant horizon on this day?  Sometimes, like this morning, they take my breath away! Sunrises and sunsets, are each unique, just like snowflakes or even people. Each has something special to offer, a unique blend of color and hue radiating what comes naturally and what might be present for only the briefest moment in time. We must stop to notice. The world, and each person in it, just like each morning sunrise, has much to offer. Only if we look, will we see.