Morning Routines
Many of you know that I am participating in a yearlong art challenge that began in September. The challenge consists of creating one new image each week for a year using the same medium and theme. The theme is The World Inside and I chose Photography/Mixed Media as my theme.
Less than a month after I started the art challenge my morning routine changed. Waking up earlier than normal for several days in a row, I decided to use my quiet time after getting up for morning devotions.
One morning after I had read the daily story in an Upper Room booklet and the scripture and prayer that accompanied that story, I looked down at the table in front of me and gained inspiration for that week’s challenge image.
The light above the table was shining down on my reading glasses that were sitting on top of my Bible. After speaking a quiet “Thank You Lord”, I walked over to my desk and retrieved my camera. The rest, as the saying goes, is history.
Would I have been inspired to photograph my glasses on my Bible if I had not been used to a morning devotional routine?
Would I have thought to “stage” that photo as it was?
Maybe, maybe not. Those questions are irrelevant at this point.
What is very relevant is that my new morning routine has helped to change those first few waking hours from a grouchy, uncomfortable time for me to a time of reflection and gratitude.
My “night owl” status has been attributed to my birth hour which was in the evening. My mother told me many times that as a baby I had my days and nights mixed up. Getting up, dressed and ready for class or work was often a struggle.
As my life progressed, I tried quite a few different things to change my day/night mix up but as an adult I mostly lived with the fact that I was more aware and energetic in the evening and nighttime hours.
Evening is still my favorite time of day. Sunsets are more appealing to me than sunrises. Nighttime campfires are more enjoyable than my morning tea. But thank goodness my mornings are more than “barely bearable” now!
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
If you are a night owl, do you have a routine that helps you to get going in the morning?
Be sure and share your routines for enjoyable mornings. Your routine might help another night owl who is struggling to make their own mornings more peaceful.
To view a larger version of today’s featured image, click here.
