Following My Flow

A few years ago I stopped using an alarm clock to wake up.  Mind you, I am naturally an early riser - between 5:30 and 6:30 - so there was no danger of oversleeping if I had to go to work. 

I wake up gently and quietly this way.  Lay there til I feel fully awake, thinking about my day .  I get up, let the dogs out and make my coffee.  And then - my favorite time of day - sitting on the porch or in my sitting room drinking my coffee, reading my devotional and bible and writing in my journal.  No rush - no hurry.  I have noticed following this natural flow to my mornings has quieted me as I am prone to anxiety and worry.  It gets me centered and allows me to ease into whatever is ahead.  After about an hour I am ready to get dressed and move forward with my day - whether that is going to my part time, 3 day a week job, spending the day with my daughter and granddaughter, cleaning house, doing yardwork or running errands. 

I spent many years in the corporate world with my alarm going off (I have always used music as my alarm versus the alarm sound - that was just too irritating), jumping up, rushing to get ready and out the door to fight the traffic into work.  And, of course when my daughter was young - getting her up and going was also part of it.  Now, in semi-retirement - it is so nice to be able to go with my natural flow and enjoy this chapter of life at a slower pace. 

How do you wake up and start your day?  Do you set an alarm or do you wake up on your body's own time?  Do you have a morning ritual such as reading or exercise?

This picture is from my front flower bed - I found this little girl figure at a yard sale years ago and fell in love with her peaceful, sweet expression - a perfect addition to my garden. 

My flowers are loving all of the rain we have had in Nashville the past couple of days!  They are bursting with blooms!

Enjoy your day!

Lyn

Savor the Freedom!

Happy Independence Day to my fellow Americans!  It is a day to celebrate our freedom and remember all of those who served to enable us to enjoy it. 

This morning as I sat on my front porch gazing out onto my freshly mown yard and the beautiful, bright sunshine through the trees, I am reminded how thankful I am.  Sitting quietly outdoors has always been how I connect with God and my center.  The outdoors refreshes my soul. 

When my daughter was little, we would take hikes in the woods, find a place to sit, close our eyes and simply listen for a minute and then say what we could hear.  It is amazing what you can hear when you close your eyes and get still for a moment.

When I close my eyes right now as I sit on my porch, I hear –

-the rustling of the breeze in the trees.  The dogwood tree has a lighter sound than the broad leaf maple, and the needles of the pine tree create a whirring that adds its own distinct sound to the symphony.

-I can hear the wind approaching – blowing in from the southwest – starting in the trees up the street and moving its way into the ones in my yard. 

-At least 5 different bird sounds – chickadees, wrens, cardinals, crows and finches.  The wrens, in particular seem to be having a lively conversation with each other.

-The crickets’ high pitched song from the grass.  Funny – I didn’t even notice them until I closed my eyes!

-The buzz of a bumblebee enjoying the daisies and coneflowers planted next to my porch

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And some man made sounds that are also very calming and pleasant to my senses

-the soft tinkling of my little glass wind chimes.  I have always had wind chimes around my home to catch the soft breeze and lift up their music.

-The soft flapping of the American flag on a pole in my neighbor’s yard… representing the Land of the Free…….

Have a lovely holiday and remember to take a moment to savor life and freedom.

The view from my front porch.  Freshly mown lawn, my beautiful dogwood tree and flower beds.  Such a nice place to relax and enjoy my coffee in the mornings.  Most mornings - there is a rabbit family sitting under the tree dining on clover.

White wicker makes me happy!  This chair was bought at a yard sale for $5.00 and it is in perfect shape.  Sitting here in the mornings and enjoying my yard and flowers is a great way to start my day.