Stop, Look, Listen

This column appeared in the 11/08/08 issue of the Traverse City Record Eagle. I feel that it still holds a message that I and those around me need to hear on a continuous basis. Enjoy!

Many things can disrupt one's rest in the early hours of the sleepy morn. We've all experienced that annoying custom of sleep lost too soon. Any number of things can rouse us from our slumber. A barking dog, a thumping car, road construction, the sound of a tow truck loading up your car, as it seems those parking tickets have finally come to a head.

There are myriad ways that one's peaceful night of sleep could be quickly transformed into an annoying morning full of empty threats, curse words and thrashing out of bed to see what that stupid noise is.

My most recent experience with the awake-too-early phenomenon happened this very morning. Yet, it was not dog, tow truck, garbage man or annoying wanna-be rap star that disturbed my slumber. Oh no, it was a tour group.

Yes, a tour group. Those of us who have lived (me) and do live (you) in northern Michigan know what kind of fun tourists can oftentimes be, but here, in my new home, I am finding that perhaps Michigan has it easy.

I awoke to the sound of mundane chatter offset by a rather loud, theatrical tour guide. He was standing just beyond my closed front door yelling about the three volcanoes that can be seen from my door step. The active volcano, always puffing smoke, drew the most attention.

"When was the last time that it erupted?" asked one of the curious.

"Probably 30 minutes ago," answered the guide.

They lingered for what seemed like hours listening to the guide spout facts and figures about Antigua and Guatemala. The history pouring from his lips caused the group to fall silent in awe and my rage to grow with each loud, annoying, sleep-depriving word.

He spoke of colonial times, Conquistadors, when Antigua was the capital of Guatemala, of the ancient architecture and of the millions of other things that make Antigua a brilliant and living beast in the Central American world, the number one tourist, backpacker, ex-pat and escapee destination in all of Central America, in fact.

As I slammed a pillow over my head, judgment clouded by madness, I heard the guide spout one more factoid.

"What kind of people live here?" asked an inquisitive cruiser.

"Only the most special kind," answered the guide. "Living in Antigua is a blessing in this country. Antigua is heaven to most. Antigua is the place that you plan to go on vacation to and wish to live in, but never really can."

This answer made me stop and think.

I have lived in just such a place before: Traverse City. Before Traverse City, I lived and grew up in Elk Rapids, another "fantasy town." Then Suttons Bay. Now, Antigua, Guatemala.

Is life really so bad that I am justified in being angered by a night's rest disturbed on a sunny, peaceful Sunday morning by a tour group of rich white folks who have been stopped by, and are in awe of, the very view that I see every time I open my windows or step out of my front door?
I sit here, pecking away on my laptop, staring out my window. I see blue sky, wisps of white clouds, elegant clay rooftops, ancient spires and, yes, three volcanoes, one of which is spewing white smoke as I type. Life is good. Life is good for me and for millions of others throughout the world.

Through happenstance and circumstance, I now find myself living a life that most can only dream of. This Sunday morning has reminded me that there are things in this life that are overlooked.

How many times have I exited my humble abode throughout my life, annoyed by some petty thing, allowing that annoyance to blur my vision of what is real, what is important, what is right in front of me? What views have I missed? What striking orchard sunrises have seen me drive away in disgust without even a backward glance? What perfect fall scenes have been reflected off of the water, waiting for my eye to behold? What crisp and exquisite winter snows, falling amid Traverse City's Christmas decor, have I missed simply because I have been too busy or annoyed to just stop and stare? What majestic mountains have stood, illuminated by the sun, just for my eye? What have I missed in this life simply because of some stupid, arrogant, pointless emotion?
Life beckons and calls and stands pristine. Would that all of us, every inhabitant of this perfect world, could live in a place where groups of strangers stand in awe on your front step of what you see every day.

Never again will I allow anger or annoyance to cloud my field of miracles. I will behold life in all that it is for as long as I have eyes that see. Here's hoping the same for you. I'll see you soon on my front step.