MOUNTAIN TOP MORNINGS

Okay, imagine this. You and your friend spent the night before swimming and out at a friends house until the wee hours of the night. All you want to do when you get home is sleep for hours and hours. The two of you toss in a movie and pass out, both sleeping soundly and peacefully, until 4:45 AM that is. My alarm went off and startled both of us. I hopped out of bed to turn it off and returned to my indented mattress, promising myself only 15 more minutes. Just as my eyes closed, my friend sits up, looks at me and says "let's do this." I am so glad for that early morning motivation to get my butt out of bed and to go work out. It turned out to be completely worth it as well. We took my car out to the desert, parked it next to a mountain, and climbed to the top with our yoga mats. We made it to the summit just in time to watch the sun roll over the top of another cliff and for the light to drown the valley. It was a sight truly worth the early morning and the work to get to the top. Once we made it, I laid out my mat and began a little morning yoga. It was peaceful and awakening and a wonderful start to the morning. My friend, before joining me, decided to take some photos. She is a wonderful photographer and I love having my photo taken, so we're a match made in heaven.

Like I said: AMAZING photographer. Forbes magazine published a study that brags that early risers are more proactive in reaching their long-term goals than those who sleep in. Another benefit to waking up in the wee hours of the morning is optimism. I did the waking up thing, and when my alarm went off, trust me, I was far from positive, but as the day went on and I realized all that I had accomplished, I did truly start to feel more optimistic about my day. It was like a drug, not that I've ever tried drugs, but word on the street is that they make you pretty happy.

I'm not saying that I will set a daily alarm for 4:45, but for every once in a while, it makes a difference to get a jump start on the day and to do something I am passionate about so early in the morning.

#yoga #morning #exercise #mountain #hiking #photography #nike