Early to rise...

 

When I was in high school, I somehow discovered that my most productive study time was in the early morning hours. I remember setting two alarm clocks, one to get me partly awake, and a second (sometimes placed across the room) to make sure I really did get out of bed. As the years went by it got easier; my body learned the rhythm and I woke up naturally and easily, almost always before 5. I know this cycle doesn't work for everyone, and we each adapt to what our body prefers. But for me, I learned to treasure the quiet morning hours as a special gift.

Sometimes the early time meant I could witness glorious sunrises as I explored outdoors (such as the one pictured here, Grand Canyon South Kaibab trail 11/3/2018). Sometimes it meant time to read or write in a quiet house. Sometimes it meant going to work to get a headstart on a busy day. Sometimes it meant time with a good book, or The Good Book. But always, it's been an important part of starting my day.

Ben Franklin was a kindred spirit who was up at 5 each morning, and famously stated, "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." I don't know how well I can claim those adjectives for myself, but I can #GiveThanks for the blessing my early mornings have been to me.