Getting an early start!

Posted on by WritingfromtheheartwithBrian
Photo by Pexels.

When Bo Schembechler coached at the University of Michigan in the 70s and 80s, he used to warn his players to never go out past midnight, claiming that nothing good ever happened at that hour. Many a coach, parent and teacher have repeated the warning. It’s a reminder that when we are tired or mix in alcohol or partying, we don’t always make the best decisions.

I understand the advice. It certainly seems like people get into a heck of a lot more trouble at 3 at night instead of 3 in the afternoon. I think the advice, though, misses a few things. My reasons for being skeptical: Late night quickly turns into early morning.

Morning glory

I’ve long been struck by how there’s something romantic about the late night – early morning hours. In another life, I swear I was a baker or a delivery driver. Or maybe an early morning DJ or a milkman. Maybe even a farmer or rancher.

I find the early morning to be an especially fascinating time. I love the way you walk outside to your car and the darkness and twinkling stars fill up the dark sky. Your bones creak and you desperately want to go back to bed. In fact, everything inside of you tells you to go back to bed. But, there’s also a sense of excitement about what the new day will bring. You put your car into drive and get the feeling that you’re sneaking away while the rest of the world sleeps. You strain your eyes at first until they get more comfortable.

You start to realize that everything that’s there in the daytime is there in the night. You start to get more comfortable and at ease. Your mind is running through various lists to-dos and action items. You think of all the errands that need to happen that day.

Photo by Pixabay.

The wee hours of the morning

Normally thinking about priorities and lists would cause a pain in your stomach. Today, though, the list brings you excitement. The night or morning, which ever way you want to look at it, is still young. You have high hopes to get everything done. There’s no one yet to pull you into some fire or emergency. It’s just you and your thoughts.

In fact, you feel excited to have the list. The day is full of possibilities. There’s a sense of appreciation.

You drive some more and take a sip of coffee and it seems to taste better than you expected. The same coffee pot gave you bitter tasting coffee the day before. The coffee was so bad you swore that George Washington used it 247 years ago at the Valley Forge encampment. Today, it tastes out of this world.

Photo by Pixabay.

Top o’ the morning

You can’t help but notice how calm you feel. You run off some of the things that you’re grateful for in your life. You even make a note to text your wife and just to say thank you and tell her you love her.

You come to a stop sign and look to the East and see the first smidgen of light. The sun is starting to test the waters and thinking about making its entrance. You let out a calm sigh, you’re sure the day is going to bring good things.

And it all started in the dark. Yes, yes, there is something creative and romantic about the late night-early morning. Who’s with me? Who sees the creative optimism, appreciation, and excitement in the early morning? (Now if only I could get an afternoon nap than I would feel that excitement and calm all day long.)

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Check out my personal lifestyle blog at www.writingfromtheheartwithbrian.com to read other pieces by me. Be sure to follow me on Instagram at @writingfromtheheartwithbrian. Thanks for reading.

25 thoughts on “Getting an early start!”

  1. Pingback: Rise and shine – Writing from the Heart with Brian

  3. I totally agree Brian! Now that’s not to say that I don’t totally hate having to get up that early, I do- but once I’m up at those early hours, there really is some special to notice, and seeing the sun rise is always a treat.
    I’m all in for the nap too 😎

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  9. This reminds of a job when I worked the graveyard shift, Brian. My body could never quite get used to it. I would be okay with working then, but driving home when it was turning light and people were already heading out to work always felt weird. As one of the world’s fussiest sleepers, darkness is one of my necessities when it comes to sleeping.

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  10. I’m more of a morning person, but not the wee hours, like 3 a.m. I agree about the morning having a freshness to it, the sense of possibilities spread out, the pondering of what can happen. And afternoon naps sound great!

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  13. There is indeed something beautiful about the early morning, when the set has not risen yet, the house and street are still asleep. This is best in the summertime when it’s warm out and you slowly come to life as the sun comes up, with a warm cup of coffee in hand.

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