I never would have expected to love the watching the sunrise as much as I do at this point in my life. In the past, I have taken advantage of any and every opportunity to sleep in. So much so that seeing the sunrise used to only be associated with pulling all nighters and getting up painfully early for travel, work, or school.
Then 28 hit. Now, I can’t wait to get up in the morning and watch the sunrise. Even on the days when it pains me to get out of bed so early. I still stay up too late sometimes, but even when I do I always have a more successful feeling day when I can see even just a glimpse of the sunrise.
Making this shift has been more than a learning curve, it’s retraining and recalibrating my natural rhythms. I’ve suddenly got this very visceral sense of a clock running in my life. I guess approaching your thirties brings up all sorts of FOMO issues. I don’t wanna miss a thing…was that too much? Well, here’s the video if not:
The Desert Sunrise
If Steven Tyler’s voice doesn’t get you out of the bed in the morning, watching rays of sun pierce through the night sky, turning dark blues to reds to oranges then to the ever familiar pale blue sky–all over a gorgeous mountain range–just might.
Watching the sunrise in Alpine, TX has made me realize just how important it is to take the time to slow down, and watch what the natural world is doing on a consistent basis. It’s humbling and inspiring at the same time.
Maybe that’s why I feel like it sets up my day so well to watch the sunrise in general. Starting out the day by setting aside my ego and getting inspired is exactly what I need for my whole life. Otherwise, I’m running around like an anxious mess. So, it makes sense that doing that every morning would set the tone for a pretty awesome day.
It’s also helped that we are in this stupidly cute little adobe house built by the owners here in Alpine, TX. I’m having fantasies about one day being able to live for part of the year out here. Getting up and watching the sunrise over the mountains with a cup of coffee. Then spending some time writing, playing music, and enjoying the quiet life. I’d love to make that dream a reality.