I am not a morning person. I used to have a lot of statements to defend sleeping late. But somewhere along the way, I learned the value of not always missing the first part of the day. When I started writing books, I made a personal discovery about morning time. I can think more clearly and write more during the first part of the day. Sure, I can still have creative bursts and make unique discoveries in the middle of the night, because that is how I’m naturally wired. But there is just something about the focus and clarity of thoughts right after you have slept that is magical (see newsfeed article). I just don’t want to miss the morning light. I can’t really explain it. My night time routine keeps me from getting up early every morning, but I never regret the mornings that I do.
My hobby of photography has reinforced the need to push myself to get out of bed more often. On Saturday, I was in Hermanus Bay, South Africa. The people in the village there have a lot of reasons to get up early. I climbed out on the rocks at 5:45 a.m. and waited for the sun to come up in the bay. I had a sense in the dark that I was surrounded by something. Then when the light begin to fade up on the water I counted at least eight southern right whales floating on their backs, playing in the water all around me. The town was quiet, the light was amazing, and I’m just glad I didn’t miss it. I think I am going to fight harder to get up earlier a few days a week. Maybe I can enjoy what God is doing around me more.
What does this have to do with parenting? As parents we need a lot of emotional and spiritual fuel to do what we do. What if you just picked one or two days a week and decided to get up before everyone else? What is something you could do to help you focus, or refuel? (Photography, reading, journaling, walking, or riding.) I don’t know how you are wired, but I do know that reclaiming a little morning light could help you see more clearly. Do it for your sake and for the sake of your family.
I just revived my quiet time that I always seem to let slip in the summer. I feel refueled but more than that, I see clearly my priorities for the day. With that being said, I still feel that I lack the ability to create time to recharge myself by doing my hobby photography! With kids and one on the way I wonder if I will ever be able to prioritize something that is for myself. Any suggestions on how to make that time amidst the laundry, kids and general craziness of the day?
Cammie, this is one of the hardest moments in your life to take personal time – when your kids are so little and dependent on you. And the personal time you do have, you’re probably so tired, you don’t feel like doing much at all, especially if you’re waking up early already. But it’s still important to find that time. Though you may feel guilty doing it, hire a babysitter because it’s worth it, or swap babysitting time with a friend once a week. And if you’re wanting to spend more time on photography, you’ll have such great subject matter: your kids of course, but also that pile of laundry that you might just have to let pile up a little bit!
ok im jealous…awesome photos.
I always get up early way before everyone on Easter morning. I need to do it more often for the exact reasons you just shared.
I dont know if the other parts of the world is as awesome as the most southern tip of Africa, but I believe God gave every town/suburb its own uniqueness. I am one of the privelaged to have grown up in the Southern Part of Africa, and I ditto Reggie. I have it best of both ways. I wake up at 05:00 pm on a farm, the smell, the mist, fresh rain drops on the grawel, (yes, believe it or not), the smell of cow poo, everything is so unique to a farm, but it is lovely! Coming to work, 62km further on, I see the ocean. Another one of Gods pieces. Yet, a different smell. It’s amazing!
@ Cammie… I dont have kids yet, but my 3dogs are like children for me.. except that I dont bath them every day, as well as not help them with homework etc, or dress them every day. I found that If you make the time, there is more time to enjoy all the wonders of God. Yes, life is hectic in so many ways. Some of us work 14hour shifts, I know, I do myself. But still, on my off days, I dont lay in bed until 12:00pm, I normally get up way earlier than I should have for work. Seeing that I get so little time for myself, I tend to use each and every second the day that I can. And believe me, you would be feeling very proud of yourself, and yet another day WONT feel waisted! Priorities more, and the most important, NEVER forget about your own happiness/freedom/enjoyment. One tends to forget about yourself in this busy life! Life every second of every day, as it is your last, and you will be finding that your inner happiness has increased alot!x
Amazing pictures, Reggie. I think that as school starts up more and more parents will find that quiet time before the kids are up to be really special. The coffee is brewing, the house is quiet, even the dog is sleeping. I don’t often wake before the boys but when I do I love to just listen. I’m sometimes amazed at their conversations when they think noone is listening. I do cherish those quiet times. The other day they were looking at bones retrieved from owl pellets. My oldest son told the 3 year old that God made that mouse for the owl to eat. I loved that.
I couldn’t agree more! I am a journal type of gal! I love to wake up early and have my coffee and write to God! Weather it be feelings of praise, concern , anger, LOve and adoration! Its all on the pages and whats the most amazing part is to go back from time to time and see how God has written an amazing story! It is my Goal to try to wake up before my two little ones wake up which any parent knows thats a challenge because for some reason Young kids are wired to wake up early! they have so much energy right away and are ready to go! We can learn allot by simply observing our kids! Mine for example always go to daddy first thing in the morning! We have never really figured out why but it has served as a reminder to me that we need to go to our heavenly father every morning and present our requests to God with praise and thanksgiving! weather its a simple “I am hungry daddy? what are we doing today daddy? Are you up yet?
I take comfort in knowing that Gods awnsers to those things are always found! So I encourage parents to try to wake up early and run to God! he’s always waiting there! I really like what you said about Maybe I can enjoy what God is doing around me more.”
I am resting on that this morning! blessings!
Stephanie