Not easy to write this story exactly as it happened. Words are too small to include images and feelings, and presence. But words are all I have, so I’ll write it as simple as possible.

It was a sunny Saturday. I had some work to do early in the morning, so I called a friend to ask if she was up for a coffee after I was done with my work. She said okay, but I’d have to wait because it was a bit too early for her.

I went to do my work, and I finished even earlier than expected. So I called her again and told her that I would pick her up with my motorcycle.

I had enough time so I took an unusual route.

It was September, not too warm, neither too cold. The sun had been up for a while, and this intense morning light made me feel very calm.

I stopped at a red light waiting for it to go green. Usually, I wait for the light to go green again right in front of all cars to start first. One of the benefits of riding a motorcycle.

But not that day. I was not in a hurry, so I picked a spot next to the first car where the sun was hitting best.

At that moment, I looked directly to the sun, lifted my helmet cover, and thought how lucky I was to experience this beautiful warm light in September. I was thinking of being blissful for living in Greece and how other countries like Germany, where my mother currently lives, cannot even think of experiencing these emotions.

The light turns green, and the car next to me starts to move.

I delayed for a few seconds to start because I was lost in my thoughts. Then, suddenly, I saw another car from the crossroad coming at a speed that didn’t seem to be stopping. The driver hadn’t noticed that the light was red to him and green to us…

One of those moments seems time goes much, much slower in front of our eyes, but there’s nothing you can do.

Booom…

The car hit the back of the vehicle that had started before me. (Luckily nobody was hurt.)

I started riding.. two blocks later, I suddenly froze… I had just realized that if I had started 2 seconds earlier (what I normally do), the speeding car would not have hit the car in front of me but my leg… I would have fallen violently and broken who knows what… I become aware that I am whole and unharmed… All of these because I was grateful for the sun…

The emotions I was experiencing at the moment cannot be described, but I am getting goosebumps just remembering it now… Gratitude comes to mind.

Sometimes, what we do, what we think and how we experience the world, become a projection outside of us. I don’t really believe in superstitions, nor am I one of those new-age guys talking about “laws of attraction” etc (although I am aware of those movements). I am also not qualified to give any advice on how you should act, feel and think.

This post was just a “thank you” note for the Sun and to life itself. There will always be difficulties but remember, we are blessed to be alive.