Gifts of the Morning
Monday, March 16, 2009 at 6:00AM 
For those of you do the facebook thing, you probably have read my recent early morning reflections, er, complaints. The nearly perfect newest member of the house has become a morning dog and in turn is forcing me to be a morning mama again.
After the initial shock wore off I began to look at things through a new set of sleepy eyes. Could I make the best of the mornings? Was it possible to slowly creep into a slow routine of mindful reflections and stretching (literally and figuratively)? Because I am on a quest to live each moment a little more deliberately than I have before, this all makes total sense and it actually has been invigorating.
Small shifts of perspective can make all the difference.
Being up early means that when the sun begins to light the morning, I am fresh and ready to then see things through my lens. The morning light makes for beautiful photographs and has given me a unique situation to see and enjoy my backyard. In the past I have only really taken advantage of the late afternoon hours so this has been refreshing.
Sunday morning my youngest daughter and I explored the yard together, in jammies and slippers (along with the dog of course) and she discovered this orange blossom on the dewy grass. Here Mama, look what I found.
I was poignantly reminded that the most beautiful gifts can come even in the earliest of mornings.
Did you awake to anything special or perhaps unexpected this week? What were the gifts you discovered? Share one of your Best Shots with us.
children, gifts, motherhood, perspective in best shot monday, day to day, inspiration, motherhood
Reader Comments (28)
When I look at my daughter, I see my husband. However, when I downloaded this photo of my daughter yesterday, I totally saw myself. With the exception of her light brown hair, I am looking at myself when I was 3.
This Best Shot brought a smile to my face.
Oh, you are so right. I love your positive attitude and the photo is breathtaking. Here are a couple of gifts I discovered in my own yard:
Macro Photo Therapy
i've been getting a new perspective at 5 am, too. i'm walking with a friend a few times a week, and it's nice to come back to a still quiet house.
mystery photog
As I'm reading your post, I'm sitting at my laptop with morning sunlight streaming through the windows. The baby's sleeping, the dog's curled up next to me, there's no sound but ticking clock and the birds outside. Heaven.
I wish I'd had your perspective to embrace the early morning, when my daughter was up much too early for my taste!
Here's my Silly girl
I've always been a morning person and find the light is the best then too. I think you'll like it with some adaptation to your morning schedule. :) I clicked to add you as a friend in facebook this morning. So you'll see a request from me sometime soon.
After locating my pictures from the anniversary trip, I posted a couple of morning shots of me and the husband at the gorge.
I was given a gift this morning after I got into work. Our baby went missing yesterday when he decided spring fever should be indulged with a grand adventure. As soon as we gave in to our distractions (something I will not do again!), he wandered off. Despite our shouting and searching through the woods for him with flashlights in hand, he didn't turn up. So imagine my relief when I discovered the neighbors had taken him in. We'll be picking his little adventuresome self up on our way home from work.
You captured the magic of mornings perfectly! I have become a morning person since having the girls, too. It is a gift, indeed.
My Best shot wasn't actually my shot, or the best - but I am celebrating and was thankful for my little Fan Club this past weekend.
In the wake of daylight savings time and everything! I hate getting up early too, but once I'm up it's always such a wonderful time of day.
I received this week's best shot in the VERY early morning (gave birth to him at 2:09 am, to be exact) a little over two years ago. Gifts certainly can come early.
Love how you can put it into a different perspective. It's really hard sometimes. I'm sure little miss puppy will repay you with tons of love.
My best shot: http://thehipmommasjournal.squarespace.com/journal/2009/3/16/spring-break.html
Sorry, My Best Shot
I'm not fortunate enough to have a beautiful garden right outside my door, how lucky you are! such a wonderful shot. But I went to the botanical gardens this weekend for my best shot. Enjoy today!
We were greeted with some lovely gifts last week as well!
When I see your flowers and tomato blossoms, I can't lie. It makes me quite jealous! But it a good way, if that's possible. Lovely photo!
I so wish I could be an early morning person to get shots like this!
I'm a little late today.....My Everything.
Im loving all the flowers and green starting to show up. Its finally getting to be spring! Click on my name to be taken to my best shot monday. Happy Monday everyone!
I will have to add you on facebook to hear all about the new addition to your family. This weekend I have been watching our volcano show it's presence. I have never been this close to one and so I have been enjoying it by taking some pictures instead of being afraid. That camera gives me courage. =]
http://simplyblogged.wordpress.com
I had fun taking photos of the girls as they explored an enchanted forest near by at a friend's property.
Enchanted Forest
This shot is so serene, inviting, reminding.
OOPS! Posted my BSM but forgot to post the link in comments this AM. 4:30pm is better than never.
Have a beautiful evening.
Horses and Children
OK, so that link above isn't working. I've gone brain dead. On this comment my name hyperlink will take you directly to the BSM post. Thanks.
What a beautiful photo! We have a similar photo on www.BecauseofHeller.blogspot.com. The flower was picked from a beautiful plant that was placed underneath my son's "In Memory" tree at his elementary school. The child is his baby brother...The photo reminds me (and I hope others) that kindness is beautiful. Feel free to check out my Best Shot at www.whenigrow.blogspot.com
What a great perspective (you're always giving me new ways to look at things, Tracey!)
Here's my BSM.
Embracing the change, good for you!
I am always so glad when I wake up early....the quiet house, the sun coming up....it's so peaceful~
Beautiful orange blossom, we are loving the scents of them and Spring all around us!
We headed to Anza Borrego last week and my Best Shot is one I will always treasure....
A Day at the Desert
Gorgeous shot. I love the softness of it.
Here's my best shot.
I appreciated the gift of quiet I had this morning. Waking up and getting ready with no one else in the house (besides the cats) up and around. I could take my time, and think. And finally remember to post a Best Shot Monday post - I just couldn't get the link up here until much much later. Oh well...better late than never!
Ponies and Dinosaurs
I love the point of focus and the DOF. Kinda how I see the morings. I really love being up early, I just don't like getting up early:)