Originally posted on Facebook HERE
From the other side of the window today… early morning. I’m up between 3 and 4am almost every day. Not because I want or usually even need to be, it’s just where my body clock decided to start waking up several years ago now. I probably average about five hours of sleep every night. When I go on vacation I sleep a lot more, and the 4am rule doesn’t seem to be as rigid as when I’m home and in my normal routine. It feels great when I get more sleep, too. So — what’s the problem with just “sleeping in”?… I used to be able to do it. The only answer I can come up with is the peace that comes with being up early in the morning. I love it. I absolutely love it. It’s a great way to start the day. I get several hours to myself every morning before heading out. I write every day. Three theme pages. Every day. I’ve done that for years now. It really helps clarify things. What’s important, what isn’t, what I could do differently, how I could approach people and things going on in my life with a better attitude. How I could maybe cut myself some slack instead of always being so hard on myself, etc. writing three pages a day is of critical importance to me and I thank my friend who recommending the book “The Artist’s Way” years ago that started me on this path. I also read every day for at least ten minutes. Usually spiritual and/or self-help books, but I like biographies as well. Can be anything. I love to read. And in between writing and reading I get a chance to surf the internet a bit as well. Watch videos. Check out what my musician friends are up to. It’s so quiet and peaceful in the morning. It’s my favorite time of the day, and it sets up the entire day — every day — for success. It’s my own personal mental workout plan. I do a lot for my physical body as well — lift weights, run, yoga, etc… but I need to go within myself and get centered every day mentally, too. I used to meditate every day as well, and I still do that as much as possible. We do need to spend time making sure we’re not only physically fit, but mentally fit, too. I think I’d be a lot quicker to anger without my peaceful mornings. I think that the stress I’m under would be way closer to the surface as well. I think I wake up at 4am every day because I instinctively know how important it is to my health and well-being. Even at the cost of reduced sleep. Because the window of morning peace in our house starts no later than 4am. As an added bonus I get to walk out the back door to get the paper to a view like this. You can feel God in those moments. You can let yourself be overcome with gratitude. You can get in touch with the love you have within you and head into the day happy and joyful. Mornings are gold. I like to mine them.
