In the Morning Light by Yanni

Every morning, I walk to my front gate to get my newspaper. This small, mundane act has so much meaning to me. I wake up every morning with so much anticipation to start the day. Just the thought of sitting down with my morning paper on my white dining table with coffee in my hands gives me all the reason I need to get up, get moving, and get busy.  When I worked at the coffee bar, I would wake up at 3 or 4 so that I have enough time to read. All through my middle and high school, I set my alarm at 5 AM every morning to have some quiet time to read before I went to school. This morning ritual took different shapes over the years. Now, I simplified my readings to the Catholic daily readings and morning newspapers. At best, I have maybe 30 minutes to savor my sacred morning routine before my toddler wakes up. But this morning hour is so significant for my well-being and I would never pass this magical journey. Sometimes, I get only one minute before my waking toddler requires my full attention. But even that one minute makes a significant different to my entire day.

“The morning prayer determines the day.”

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer