How a city wakes up - setting an intention

An exercise to be more mindful, pay attention to the beautiful things we hardly notice + intentions to set in the wee hours.

The famous Passeig de Gracia, a street in Barcelona, at 7am. Taken from my window on the bus.

How a city wakes up is a beautiful thing to witness.

I'd say it's one of the benefits of getting out of bed early, which otherwise is a hassle for many. (I'm no exception, though I love mornings once I'm up).

Once you step out of your home, a cornucopia of its residents rushing to their destinations awaits.

Oh look, there goes a father with his two children. I see him walking them to school each day.

The little boy does a happy dance while walking, and the little girl's pink bag matches her pink hairband and shoes.

There's that lady with the red chevron coat, rushing to buy her daily barra de pan (loaf of bread). You could recognise her from afar because of it.

The cars zoom past you, and the buses are filled with sleepy-eyed school children and alert office-goers with their coffee to go.

Do you take time to observe your surroundings?

If you ever step into a bus early in the morning, you'll find people reading on their commute, while others are already scrolling on social media.

Some sit in silence and stare out of the window, taking in the city with their eyes. I'm one of them, though I alternate between the city and the people.

I often wonder what the city would say if it could speak to us. What would it express when witnessing us get out of our homes?

"Hey, you in the black coat! Don't run, life is not a race, Catch the next bus before you get run over, love."

"Good morning to you too, sunshine. People like you are a joy because of the smiles you spread."

"Aww, look at that cute doggie out for its morning walk. No, no, no, just because I think it's cute, doesn't mean it gets to make a mess and leave it there for people to step on!"

"Thank you for painting one of the most boring buildings with graffiti, my dear sir. You are a true artist."

What would be your intention after observing your surroundings?

Ahh, what a joy it'd be to hear it all. Perhaps we'd be more aware of what we do and say?

We'd live a little more, taking in the city with each breath, I believe.

My thoughts, along with the bus, come to sudden a halt with a BZZZZZ. My stop is here.

But I can't stop thinking of what happens next when I open my office door.
My story, just like the day, has just begun.

Here’s a reflection for starting your week with intention

• Whether you commute to work or work from home, what could you be missing out on each morning? Is it opening the windows, enjoying the fresh air, and seeing the sunrise before turning on your laptop?

• If your city could speak, what would it say to you? Think of a kind line you’d like to hear early morning. In a popular series called Grey’s Anatomy e.g., one of the doctors starts each surgery by saying “it’s a beautiful day to save lives”. Witness the power of that line: it sets an intention, right?

• Now, imagine hearing your own line each day before work starts. How would that make you feel? Make it happen :)
  

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