I really love mornings, especially the quiet ones. I can’t say that it is always easy to get out of bed earlier than everyone else in the house, but it is definitely worth the effort.
One thing I learned a long, long time ago is that once I get into the “flow” of the day there is little quiet time. I think that is something that most of us experience. Of course, I don’t have a house full of kids to get off to school any more, but I do have other responsibilities that take time and crowd me out of my own life. Now, that’s something to think about.
Horatio was my inspiration for quiet time. So, the question is “who is (or was) Horatio?” Well, Horatio was a pet hamster that became a part of my life when I was 17. Yeah, I know that seems like a lifetime ago. But, Horatio had his own agenda. I’m sure it was something genetic that is innate to hamsters. Every morning when I woke up, Horatio would already be running in that little hamster wheel. He was going nowhere, but he continued to run… and for what it’s worth, he seemed to enjoy it. That is if hamsters “enjoy.”
Once I would get up and remove the cage cover Horatio would stop his make-believe trek and look at me. I always felt as if I had intruded in his little life. However, once the cover was removed Horation would move to the corner of the cage and watch me get ready for school.
The point is that Horatio’s “quiet time” was his workout time. Now, I know the hamster wasn’t really working out… no jumping jacks or squats… but, he could run in place for hours. And, once I interrupted the workout Horatio seemed to forego his time and in his own way he would watch (interact) me.
Well, Horatio is long gone… to Hamster Heaven. But, I still think of him occasionally and his little tiny morning regiment.
I know what time my household gets up. People are strange that way. With an alarm clock or without one, most of us wake up at about the same time everyday. Years ago I began getting up an hour before the others in the house. I loved the quiet time so much that I began getting up two hours earlier. Now, I get up at least three hours before the others.
Anyway, I get up at 6:30 a.m. … sometimes earlier. I love my quiet time. Most mornings I meditate for an hour. Then I sit in the kitchen smelling the coffee brew. I write in my personal Gratitude Journal. I plan my day. And, by the time the rest of the household is awake I am ready to participate.
This morning I particularly appreciated my quiet time. I enjoyed a wonderful meditation session. I wrote in my personal Gratitude Journal and I sipped coffee as I read a couple of chapters in a book. I am thankful that I learned to take time for myself. It is so precious to me. So, today I am thankful for quiet mornings.
