November 08, 2010

Morning Glory.

Due to the company I used to keep, in the past I found myself being a creature of the night, often involuntarily. It did not bother me though and I enjoyed late morning sleep ins; however on regular bases they failed to make me feel refreshed and invigorated.

As much as the stillness of the night can be soothing and tranquil, it seems also to carry a certain feel of distress with it. A sensation of being late, or being behind. As if one is trying to catch up with the world that seems to move a few hours ahead of oneself. Besides, it has been suggested that sleep initiated on the other side of midnight never fully restores the body and mind.

Early morning however carries a different kind of tranquility. The one that instigates a feel of being ahead, being the first one to experience an enchanting moment, way before anyone even knows it is there. The privilege of facing a new day, with all its pristine glory and unblemished beauty, while the rest of the population is still sound asleep, unaware of the natural wonder that is taking place just outside their windows.

As of lately, my body naturally prefers rising early and I have never felt more energetic. This past weekend, as I was up just after the day break, watching a late autumn sunrise, offered views filled with colours and nuances that contrast the ones surrounding our sunsets. Gone is the saturated golden, red and orange. Instead, the air is light and misty, defined by transparent colours; pale yellow, turquoise and baby blue, with a touch of pink, which can turn violet as the winter nears ever so close.

There is a certain magic hidden within the morning glory, which carries with it hope and sense of renewal, as well as promises of fresh beginnings. Anything has the potential to yet occur. It is infused with a sensation of momentarily stillness, almost an anticipation of something grand - it is as if time lingers for an instant, belonging to no one else but me...

Watching the sun rise slowly, as its subtle rays embrace the landscape, melting gently away the frosty blanket while the golden disc barely leaves the horizon, is a source of endless enchantment. To relish in the gentle tranquility of a newborn day, as my house becomes saturated with the scent of fresh coffee and baked bread has become one of my new found simple pleasures.


(Below a selection of recent images, depicting late autumn - early mornings, as viewed from my grand windows; please click the images for a better view)







51 comments:

Phivos Nicolaides said...

You are shots are always very artistic. Great job!

Sandy said...

I have such fond memories of getting up early when on our vacations as a child in Florida in the 1950s. My Dad liked to get up early to go to the beach before any of the crowds to go swimming. It was a quiet time so wonderful to share with my sweet father and brothers. The memory of walking down the cottage filled side streets to our little corner of the beach...so still and quiet early in the mornings before the heat of the day. Your photos inspire that same feeling.

Loz said...

Beautiful shots as ever. As for sleeping in, I'd rather be up early to enjoy the mornings

adrielleroyale said...

Such beautiful captures of the morning and all it's glory! I love to sleep in mainly because I have to get up so early throughout the week, but morning sunrises are truly something to behold - in the spring when the sun is just rising as I leave for work in the morning is my favorite time to sneak a picture in before I leave. What is it about the new day that is so filled with hope if only for a few moments? The consistancy of the rising sun reminds me of the friendship I share with God and it warms my heart and soul to the core when I take the time to enjoy it. Once again you've put words to a special moment in my day. :)

A Bit of the Blarney said...

It is grand waking to your words this morning. And your pictures are beautiful. Wishing you well! Cathy

Kath said...

My Uncle says (of sleep) "An hour before midnight, is worth 2 after". I am a natural owl, trying hard to live like a lark. I have started sleeping with the curtains open and find is helps me to wake up in the morning, I am still woozy and grumpy tho LOL
Love your photos as always.

Julie Hibbard said...

I am an early riser by nature and LOVE the productivity it allows. I like your thoughts on the tranquility that is also part of the early mornings...silence for thoughts, prayers and lists to be produced...as well as calmness at always being ahead of the game.
Enjoying the quiet--and your blog--this early morning...

Unknown said...

You've done it again...beautiful words and photos to share with your readers on the splendors of rising early. I have not yet embraced early mornings, but my husband has. Like you he has captured many a sunrise at the oceans edge to share with us.. He loves being the first one up!
Thank you for this. I'll be back to see what other reflections you're sharing more regularly now!
Dandelion wishes,
Deb

steviewren said...

I'm definitely a morning person, but you're making morning sound pretty enticing. I do like the bright light of early morning. I love the freshness of a early summer morning before the heat of the day takes over.

Claus said...

I have always been a morning person. I love mornings! I'm awake, energetic, happy...filled with will to accomplish everything and anything that comes my way. As the day ends, though, so my energy and power, and like a bird, I need to go rest in order to be up once again early the next morning :o)
Beautiful pictures of your mornings!!
have a great day.

Bossy Betty said...

Oooooo! I think you've hit on why I like morning so much I do feel like I am ahead of the game!!!

Thanks for this lovely post.

Sandi McBride said...

I've gone from a nightowl to a going to bed with the chickens, can't think why. Just life, I suppose, and thanks for the lovely photos they've made my day
hugs
Sandi

Myrna R. said...

I used to love to sleep in, but not anymore. I knew I was missing something and indeed now that I awaken at the crack of dawn I am so happy to witness the spectacle of beauty that rises each day.

I agree with you totally. Thanks for the lovely photos.

Rajesh said...

Getting up late, there are side effects such as laziness.
Wonderful early morning shots. Love the different color shades in the sky.

cyclopseven said...

nice blog..and nice pictures too:)

Brian Miller said...

i love that morning magic...and i have been a creature of the night myself...i find the quiet soothing...though it is never really quiet all the little night noises...it was a crisp night last night and i went out...it was so clear...the stars popped....

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

beautiful photographs...lovely words...


happy to see you at Farmhouse, my friend

kary

Hilary said...

Beautifully depicted, as always, dear friend.

Lulda Casadaga said...

there is something special with both times. I am a natural night owl but their are occasions when I go to the light of the early morn! Love the pics, as always. Wish I could be there to sip some coffee and break some bread with you...:)
Enjoy this magic season and have a fun filled week!

Nessa said...

You made the morning sound so wonderful but I am still a night person and wish I could stay up later and get up later.

bright star said...

I love your post.As I have grown older the night owl sydrome has faded away,hours before midnight are precious and early morning magical.I did get anxious in the morning but nowI welcome the day.

sprinkles said...

I always love your sunset shots.

I've been a night owl since I was a little kid. Now that I don't have a job, I stay up later than I should because I know I don't have anywhere to go in the morning.

I know of people who say they like to get up early on their days off so they can get things done. Why can't they get those same things done if they wake up a little later? I've always wondered that. One of these days, I'm going to ask someone who says that to me.

Betsy Brock said...

I agree...there is a big difference between morning and evening light...each beautiful in it's own way!

Absolutely Ladylike said...

What a beautiful capture dear Zuzana...

Unfortunately I'm a night owl..and I have all those bad feelings you just mentioned. I'm practically always missing out on something...or at least I have the feeling of it. Time to time I force myself to turn the clock...and I experiencing that beautiful feeling you have on an early morning...but than, after a week or two...everything goes back to "normal" and my clock just turning itself back...All I can tell it's a frustrating and tiring war...

Your images are gorgeous!

I hope your week is off to a fabulous start...much love: Evi

Ash said...

I completely agree - I've recently started waking up early and you are right - it is magical!!

Oh and gorgeous photographs. Visual poetry!

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

With the air chilly it is so CRISP and CLEAN and energizing. Beautiful thoughts Zuzana. I love the QUIET of late night AND early morning...blissful.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Oh sigh, very soon I'm going to run out of words, to describe the beauty of your photographs. And the beauty of your words.

And then, what will I do? -sigh-

Will I have to simply enjoy coming here daily, and leave... With just an; "I've said it all before" kind of comment? So unfair, to the one who posts the beauty. -sigh-

Whatever, please know I am drinking in your photos, words, wisdom. Drinking it in gratefully. Whether I can comment well, or not.

Your blog is such a wonderful new addition, to my Blogging Life!

Gentle hugs...

S. Susan Deborah said...

Dear Zuzana:

I work well late in the night but the glory of the morning is something I absolutely love. The night always is quiet, and I seem to be very very active then. But alas! the early morning have been slipping from my regime and how I ache to see them. But life has its own ways, and I am getting used to it.

Big hugs, dear Zuzana.

Joy always,
Susan

Cat in the road said...

The first and last sentences of this post seem to indicate a new direction in your life. It sounds like it’s a positive one.
-
On another note it looks like you’ll soon be breaking the 10,000 mark on “Profile views.”

Jenny said...

I am swept away by your blog ... so glad to have found it. Your words are lyrical magic that speaks to my soul. Thank you ...

Donna said...

Beautiful photos, Zuzana. Mornings are my favorite time of day.

Hugs,
Donna

Reading Tea Leaves said...

I'm with you here Zuzana I'm definitely a morning person and enjoy that sense of a new day and new possibilities ...

and the views from your large windows are wonderful!

I really understand when you say that time lingers in those new hours and seem to belong to no one else, I often get that feeling and relish getting up before everyone else! A time for meditation and enjoying those simple pleasures.

Jeanne
xx

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Anonymous said...

What wonderful words to go with your fabulous photos. I totally agree - morning is my favourite time of the day.

Diane said...

I understood the word 'morning' and the word 'early' but when you put them together... ?? You lost me! ;) XO

Paul C said...

I have always been a morning person. Early to bed....Your shots of sunrise add even more motivation.

Al said...

Those are beautiful sunrise images. And yes, since I've become an early riser, I also love seeing the dawning of a new day.

Anonymous said...

I found it interesting to read "that sleep initiated on the other side of midnight never fully restores the body and mind"... very interesting!

I too used to be a night owl - I used to just LOVE it - but now I am more of a morning person (which I thought would never in a million years happen! :)

I love being up with the sun - and the feeling of a brand new day - a new start - where anything can happen! I find that I am more happy during the day than at night (when it used to be the other way around)...

Either way - I am blessed to be alive! :)

Wonderful post!!! And as usual - beautiful pictures!

((Hugs))
Christine

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Your post is indeed "Life through Reflections" AND what beautiful reflections are here!!! Something so peaceful about your thoughts here...I love the early morning and the late night both...but not able to do both at the same time ;-)) Love the quiet time...and the beauty! And your photos capture it so exquisitely...as always! So glad I stopped by to say "Hi!" I wouldn't have missed this for the world!! Love you, Janine XO

SY said...

I agree with you Zuzana... I am an early riser but as of late I am in a relationship that leaves me on the phone til the wee hours of the morning... Then I'm rushing and feeling crappy in the morning.

totally relate

SandyCarlson said...

I hear you about the mood and pulse of mornings and night. I much prefer the morning and the optimism it brings.

Velvet Over Steel said...

Awww.. I'm an early riser too! I love it that way.

Absolutely beautiful pictures!! Thanks for sharing! Brightened my evening!!

Hugs,
Coreen

Anonymous said...

I am a morning person. I have been all my life. I was the first one to rise while growing up in a house of 5 kids, mom, and dad. I love the way you have enchanted us with your early morning escapades.... smell of coffee and fresh baked bread... wow... I'm coming over...I like cream in my coffee... beautiful pics, Zuzana!
:) The Bach

Sharon Lovejoy said...

I sat here, in front of a blazing fire, and clicked on your gorgeous photos to enlarge them. THANK YOU! THANK YOU dear Zuzana. The words and the photos make for memories and good, deep thoughts. I love being up early and heading outdoors to visit with my plants. They smile at me.

Sending love across the miles,

Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

kochuthresiamma p .j said...

i too was a late night person. the psychology of keeping late nights is exactly as you've written. it comes from a feeling at the end of the day that we haven't done enough/a lot more needs to be done/another wasted day.

i too have become an early bird now, tho it is ill health which forced me to make this healthy lifestyle change. yes. agree that it makes me feel fresh besides affording you the beautiful experiences of the the different response of each day to the rising sun.

beautiful pictures.

Lynne said...

How true that is Zuzana. I used to enjoy getting up early on a week day before most people were about, and it really felt as though I was ahead of thr game.

Greener Bangalore said...

my goodness! the evening orange shade is very clearly visible and great capture again! lovely shots Zusan

Zuzana said...

Philip, Sandy, Loz, adrielle, Cathy, Kath, Julie, Deb, Stevie, Claudia, Betty, Sandi, Myrna, Rajesh, cyclopseven (welcome), Brian , Kary, Hilary, Lulda, Nessa, Angela (welcome), sprinkles, Betsy, Evi, Ash, Jill, Amelia, Susan, Radka, Scribe, Jenny, Donna, Jeanne, Yasser (welcome), ladyfi, Diane, Paul, Al, Christine, Janine, SY, Sandy, Coreen, The Bach, Sharon, p.j (welcome), Lynne and Greener – thank you everyone for stopping by. How delightful to find so many kindred spirits, who enjoy the beauty and the magic of an early morning.

Your words full of warmth and compliments mean a great deal to me. Thank you everyone for your kind visits.

Xoxo
Zuzana

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

Zuzana, I love this post so much! I've always been a natural night owl, while my husband is a lark and my BF "C" has always been a lark too! In the past few years, though, I've found myself needing more rest to cope with the day. To retire early in a cozy bed with fresh linens has become a welcome luxury. The early morn also has it's own special wonderfulness! The smell of coffee brewing, the lovely skies, lingering over the newspaper. I love it all! Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures and words!
V.

Greener Bangalore said...

hi Susan thanks for the visit and comments! Sorry that i deleted the old post (and so the comments got deleted automatically) There was some image issue and it was not displaying and hence i reposted

Zuzana said...

V and Greener, thank you so much for your visit and kind words.;)
xoxo
Zuzana