My fall speaking season is up and running, and I’ve started to hit the airports quite a bit more frequently again. On a recent trip, I flew into LAX, arriving close to 6am. Just before our descent, we flew out over the Pacific Ocean, turning to line up with the runway.
I looked out over the southern California beach beneath me as the sun slowly rose over it, awaiting one of its last summer days before students returned to school and family vacations took a backseat to workweeks.
I couldn’t see a single person on the beach. It appeared untouched, reset from an evening of rest. Surfers were probably minutes away from catching some early morning waves, while the sand still had another hour or so before the most loyal beachgoers claimed their spot for the day.
But in that moment, just before 6am, it was waiting.
I thought about that beach and the students and teachers just beginning another school year.
In a few weeks, everything will be quite busy. Soon there will be important essays and long tests. Soon there will be massive preparations for Homecoming Week or the Winter Formal. Soon there will be college applications.
But right now, things are just beginning.
Right now, the school year is just waking up.
Take a moment to breathe in this sunrise.
Beginnings can be beautiful.