Fresh Starts: Carpe Diem

By Pamela L. Beers

While making major life-altering changes, a person can feel overwhelmed. I try to look at those changes as “fresh starts,” which has a more positive tone. It turns the process of difficult change into a high-spirited adventure rather than a walk into a nebulous abyss.

Fresh starts can be as simple as that first cup of morning coffee. I like to prepare a pot just before I go to bed at night, setting the timer for pre-sunrise (5:30 a.m.). When the alarm goes off at 5:45 a.m. I can smell the rich dark aroma of freshly ground coffee wafting upstairs into every nook and cranny of my bedroom. It makes me want to seize the day. 

I’m not real coherent at 5:45 a.m. but my nose knows the way as it leads me toward the delectable smell of recently brewed java. Before I pour myself a mug of my favorite beverage, I route around in the fridge for some hazelnut dairy creamer to give it additional flavor. Once found, the creamer is slowly poured into my favorite ceramic mug, on top of the delectable brown brew. As I stir the two liquids together, I watch the clouds of cream intermingle with the coffee as it becomes a treat for the senses.

One sip and I’m in heaven. As my brain starts to kick in, I mosey downstairs with my mug of coffee, into the basement, where my office is located. I sit down on the sofa, with coffee mug in hand and settle back against the plump sofa pillows enjoying my morning cup of “joe,” while clicking on the early morning news. After finishing my cup of coffee and filling my mind with the day’s weather, local news, and global happenings I am ready to start the day.

I always make sure to wake up early enough to give myself some “down time” before my work for the day begins. Rushing around in the morning stresses me out more than having a day filled with an abundance of projects that are all due at the same time. Unless I have time to myself in the morning, the remainder of the day becomes an uphill battle. That fresh start each morning sets the tone, allowing me to seize the day and complete major projects on time with a minimal amount of stress.