Sunday 28 April 2019

A woman of substance can make a life anywhere.

“Become a documentarian of what you do.” 
~ Austin Kleon
I take photographs.
Lots of them.
Sunrise at Pt. England
They document an aspect of my life that I love
- what I see on those early morning walks.
It’s not always easy getting up early though.
It’s tempting to pull the covers up more when the alarm goes off.
Especially as winter approaches and the air gets chillier 
and the mornings darker.
A misty morning sunrise
I try not to give my brain time to ponder over why I’m rising before the sun. 
It will talk me out of it if I let it.
It’s feet on the floor and zombie walk to the kitchen,
with the furball doing her best to trip me up.
Food is a priority in her eyes, and she doesn’t let me forget it.
I know once I’m up though, I won’t go back to bed.
And just sometimes, the moon is setting as the sun's trying to get out of bed.
With the furball fed, there’s just time to make the bed
 and grab the backpack before heading out the door. 
Sunrise over the city
There’s a strange sense of satisfaction in knowing that
my day is starting while most people are still warmly ensconced in bed.
They miss SO much!
The peace and quiet of an early morning is startling.
Especially in winter.
The world hasn’t quite woken up yet and I revel in the silence.
There’s so much else about my early morning walks that I love too.
For starters, the sunrises.
Sunrise from Achilles Point
I see SO many!
Sunrise over the Tamaki Estuary
It’s a little ritual the sun and I have.
Our good morning wave to one another.
Here’s to our day!
Sunrise over Kohi Beach
It has a ripple effect that touches all areas of my life
and helps me be a better person.
I take control of my day just by waking up early!
I value these small frequent positive experiences that happen every day.
They give me reason to pause.
To wonder at the chain of events that caused me 
to be living where I am, and how I am.
And to give thanks.
Because life really IS wonderful.
“Don’t explain your philosophy. 
Embody it.” 
~ Epictetus