Through our meditation and Torah study, I realized how my morning routine over the past year has deepened my own spiritual commitment and has given me the confidence to pray and meditate in spaces that I had previously felt I didn't belong.
A year and a half ago, my new job gifted me a commute that for the first time in almost twenty years was more than 15 minutes to my office. Before this, my commute was 5 minutes, 8 in traffic. I used to brag that I could get home before a song was over.
I now drive approximately 30-40 minutes each way. While some people feel sorry for me, others make suggestions of how to use my extended time in the car, and over the past year, it didn't take long for me to notice a difference in my mood. I am calmer, I feel more energetic and creative. I have time to listen to great podcasts, new music, or the news. While going to work, I have time to think about the day ahead of me and how to make the best use of my time. On the way home, I think about my day and process the good and bad, make some calls, and by the time I arrive at home, my head is clear, I am more relaxed and able to be more present with my family.
There is a point in my drive from the city of Los Angeles to the San Fernando that is so beautiful and every morning it takes my breath away. Driving over the hill, the entire valley comes into view and I'm overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. For 10 seconds, I embrace my mini meditation and smile. Every day.
After weeks and months of this new routine, it is clear to me that these 30 minutes are more than just a drive to the office. So on days that I am scheduled to work in our westside office, I miss my morning time. Recently, on one of these days on the westside, I was dropping off my son at school and I felt a pull into the daily morning minyan at shul. Though not familiar with all the morning traditions and rituals, I loved walking into shul, becoming part of the morning community and listening to the collection of voices praying in unison. When I can, I now take this time to learn, meditate and pray.
During our text study this Shabbat, I made the connection that these two experiences were nurturing my spirituality. I had unknowingly created a space in the morning that now needs to be filled with some type of music, speakers or my shul community. This morning time offers the opportunity to start my day with gratitude and mindfulness. The gift of time is one I don't ever take for granted and my new awareness will make my morning drive and morning meditation even more meaningful.
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