When I Rise Early Tomorrow...

When I rise early tomorrow to get in the first of three of the day's training sessions I will first greet the day this way:

"Today I am fortunate to have woken up, I am alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others, to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings, I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others, I am going to benefit others as much as I can." 

-The 14th Dalai Lama

For most of the year last year I was a night owl for various reasons.  Right now I still am.  I am writing this at 9:30 pm and just really starting to get into a really introspective grove.  When this type of mood strikes me it usually turns into a 5-6 hour journey of building sandcastles in the air.  

My view out my balcony faces West.  It seems every night I get to see this amazing painted sky as darkness descends.  My camera is always handy.  I have hundreds if not thousands of pictures of the sunset I have taken.  in 2011, I want it to be all about the sunrise.  The beginning of a new day, both metaphorically and literally.  To actually see the sunrise in the mornings I will have to actually leave my building and completely change my perspective.  It is always good to get a new perspective.

As a part of this shift I am going to create a little ritual of renewal for myself.  Some meditation and other positive energy and breathing.  Affirming thoughts about what the day offers me and how I plan to rise to greet it and make the most of it in my own way.  A little green tea to warm up and then it will be out the door.

Before breakfast I plan on getting in some sort of workout every single day.  Most of the time it will be running.  Sometimes it will be hot yoga.  Energized, this will encourage me to follow through with all of my nutritional intentions for 2011.  I am working to massively overhaul my diet and create greater metabolic efficiency.  Initially, I though it meant being a pure Vegan.  In the beginning I will be 75% there.  Depending on my discoveries, I may go 100%.  It is a merely a means to the end.  

Having risen early and gotten my body and soul right with ball, I can now execute a solid mental game in all the ventures/opportunities that I am using to create my ideal scene.  A majority of the time, lunch will be met with a light-intensity workout.  Clear the head.  Absorb some brilliant sunshine.  Run in the rain.  Whatever.  This will also help me stay on track with my nutritional intentions and commitments.  Now on to an afternoon with a well-engaged mind to efficiently handle my business and advance my plans forward.  I will do the hard work that needs to be done, but I will also make sure that it is fruitful, not just for the sake of doing.  

Now as the day winds down I can get my 2nd run of the day in.  Some may say that I may be running too much.  Quality over quantity.  I want both.  When I run I am free.  My feet can take me anywhere I want to go and my mind becomes free to follow or chart another winding course of its own.  Running is my peace.  Fast or slow.  Long or short.  Easy or hard.  Rain or shine.  It is my renewal.  My personal fountain of youth.

Here is another benefit to this new perspective.  I do not have to give up my sunsets.  I get to expand my horizons and touch them both.  Or have them touch me such as it really is.  As I greeted the day with an open hand and an open heart I can reflect as the day draws near it's end on all given me and all that I have done and be satisfied and grateful for what has passed that day.  

Will all of my days be as precisely constructed as the template above?    Of course not.  I have 361 opportunities.  There will be ebb and flow.  There will be bumps in the road.  There will be grand forks in the trail and roads less traveled to explore.  This is a guide for me in 2011.  All of these different segments of my day can be rearranged in a grand puzzle in a multitude of combinations.  It is up to me!

One thing is certain.  I will rise early to greet the dawn of the new day and each day will be a gift that I get to unwrap.