"Why I Wake Early"

From Mary Oliver and Me

Hello, sun in my face.
Hello, you who make the morning
and spread it over the fields
and into the faces of the tulips
and the nodding morning glories,
and into the windows of, even, the
miserable and the crotchety—

best preacher that ever was,
dear star, that just happens
to be where you are in the universe
to keep us from ever-darkness,
to ease us with warm touching,
to hold us in the great hands of light—
good morning, good morning, good morning.

Watch now, how I start the day
in happiness, in kindness.

—Mary Oliver, “Why I Wake Early”

I woke up yesterday morning with this poem in my head. I wanted to share it with you, and, of course, I needed a photo to go with the post. So, I briefly broke my “no screens for a couple of hours after waking rule” to take this one.

One of the most important lessons I learned when studying Ayurveda was living my life in sync with our circadian rhythms. My health slowly began to recover when I started getting up with the sun, eating meals at regular hours (this is hard for someone with a lot of Vata - the dosha of irregularity!), and going to bed early.

When I moved to the country and could just step outside my door at sunrise, plant my bare feet on the earth, and be surrounded by glorious Nature, well, my health just got better and better.

Especially my nervous system. I’ve come to believe that a regulated nervous system is one of the most healing things of all.

Birdsong, a Forest, a Mountain view—how did I get so lucky? Well, I had to work hard for it and follow my intuition. I am grateful every single day (except for the bugs, which only last a few months).

Every morning, rain or shine, I get to watch the sun come up. If he’s not visible, I know he’s still there.

Early morning light is an instant mood reset.

The Mountains greet me each day with a different spectacular mood. I love the misty mornings best — when I just stand there, waiting for them to reappear.

Please don’t be envious. No matter where you are in the universe, the sun is there to greet you, as Mary Oliver says.

I used to go to the rooftop of my apartment building to see him rise and walk to the river to see him set. And at night, I would go on full moon walks in the neighborhood, searching for her.

The more I turn off the screens (both day and night) and spend time outside in natural light, the better I feel.

When I moved here, I stopped wearing sunglasses and ditched sunscreen years ago. I noticed that my skin wasn’t burning like it used to (thanks to my dear Dad’s Scottish/Irish genes). I know that a clean diet has a lot to do with that, but also getting out in the early morning light is a significant factor. But don’t take my word for it —if you want the science, look no further than The Power Couple Substack.

This article, in particular, is excellent.

How to fight skin cancer with UV light

I really only wanted to share a few thoughts on why I wake early. And so, I’ll end it now and turn off this screen. It’s a ridiculously gorgeous day out there, and I’m going for a walk in the woods, bugs be damned!

Good morning, good morning, good morning. ☀️

Much Love,
Barbara

P.S. I neglected to include this podcast in my original post, so I’m hoping some of you see it here!

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