I love the romance of the early morning. Now that the children are growing, and oftentimes I still hear them as I wind down for the day. The stillness of the house is deeply peaceful for me, and I find it most consistently in the morning before they start to stir. It’s in that quiet space that I can fully relax, and think deeply.

Spring is changing my neighborhood, and I’m struck in the morning how quickly the stars fade, and the morning light starts to break. I typically listen to podcasts, but even with my headphones in, the chorus of birds chirping in the canopy as the sun starts to rise breaks through the noise.

Coming out of that aura of birdsong into the quiet house, and feeling my muscles relax after an hour of work, is the perfect way to start my day. I begin with a sense of accomplishment and peace, two things that I need to make it through the challenges of daily life.

There are many days when I use those two hours for more sleep. Every so often, that’s the correct choice; rest is a key ingredient for health. But most days, the right choice is to get up early, get outside, and orient my day towards the things that really matter.