Early Mornings

On an early morning walk of my own three years ago

This morning (unbeknownst to me), Andy spontaneously woke up at 5:30, despite his late bedtime of 1 (!!). He went outside to have a look around at the soft, gentle morning world we rarely get to see and found “our” deer family, startled from their own sleep.

It’s quite nice out there, he reflected as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes.

Though I haven’t risen earlier than 7 in quite a while, I intend to do it more often. A few weeks ago we got up for the sunrise specifically to go photograph Falling Waters Preserve in the best light, and I was all gung-ho to repeat the effort for a different hike or park once a week (hasn’t happened yet).

Early morning is that slow, peaceful part of the day where you can claim time all for your own. Especially at this time of year, when activities pick up and life itself begins to fill to the brim, it’s nice to rise earlier and pay more attention to nature. Pay more attention to your breathing, your gratitude, your blessings.

Long Pond Lake, at Omega. I’m sort of missing it.

This week I struggled with some anxiety (more than my usual amount, that is), which is in itself a jumble of other feelings: fear, uncertainty, loneliness, self-doubt. It’s so easy to get lost in one’s head amid the worries and confusion, isn’t it? But there are lovely things like music, deep breaths, birds singing, and misty early mornings that counteract feelings of anxiety, and even (mild) depression.

(Thank heavens.)

I’m grateful that extreme anxiety- in the form of panic attacks- remains a thing of the past for me, though in more difficult times it seems a constant practice to keep it in check. I’m also grateful for a call I made a few days ago. It’s related to my depression and it wasn’t easy to make, but it was a step.

Which reminds me! Thanks to Sally, AKA Unbrave Girl, for her post entitled On Being Honest on the Internet. Another funny lady online talking about her depression! Each time I read something like this, I feel a little less strange.

And you, friends? Do you ever rise early enough to see the misty dawn? What are you grateful for today? What makes you happy? Or do you have any inspiring links that you’d like to share?

*

It’s spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.  And when you’ve got it, you want – oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!  –Mark Twain