Morning | Chapter 1, Practical Tips

It’s 5:25 AM, and I’ve already been awake two hours.

After an hour of fruitless tossing and turning, I gave up and got up. It there’s anything more crazy making than not being able to sleep, I don’t know what it is. They call it the three AM club, and if you know, you know. (I see you. Solidarity. Hunger Games salute.)

Me and Morning have had a long, rocky relationship. But over the years, I’ve learned a few things about her that might be helpful to my younger friends and a good reminder to my more “mature” peers. So here goes:

1. Morning comes. Regularly. You can count on her. What this might mean to you: Go with it. Stop resenting and resisting her. She will be there tomorrow. Same bat time. Same bat station. So get to bed.

2. She has secrets. For all her harsh and unbending regularity (see #1), Morning isn’t dull. Not at all! She’s a mystery woman. She’s quiet. (If you have littles, you should be sold already.) And she often arrives in glory, rewarding the lucky few who rise to greet her with an inspiring show of beauty.

3. Morning has purpose. She might come across as harsh, but it’s only because she’s wise and knows how important this day and your place in it both are. Heed her call.

4. She’s understanding. She really is! Whether you greet her or not, she will arrive. If you’re weary, she doesn’t shame but instead goes about her business ready to welcome whenever you join her. And even if you miss her altogether now and then, she’ll show up again tomorrow . . . just like a faithful friend.

And this leads me to my best advice: befriend Morning.

Seasons change along with sleep schedules, toddlers, and middle-age insomnia. But Morning comes with all the comfort and constancy of the sun. A fresh start, a blank page, an invitation.

And she won’t be offended if you yawn.

Article by, Kim Hyland | Photo by, LaRue