Up in the Morning with the Rising Sun
Naturally, I tend towards the nocturnal in my thoughts and activity when I’m allowed to follow my natural biorhythms. I am no base animal, however, and appreciate the discipline required to get up early. And that’s generally how I run my life. With discipline. At least, I try to do so. The past few weeks, things were a bit out of sync for me regarding my sleep schedule, though I largely rectified it this past weekend. Monday, however, was a busy, busy day, and I was tucked away in bed, slaying demons on the 3DSXL for a brief time, while Bones blared at me in the background on the iPad. I was warm and comfortable, and not many demons were slain, as I got too tired to stay awake. Believe it or not, I think I was soundly asleep by 8:30. This got me back on track.
This morning, I was up around 5:30 or so, and got a lot done, including my workout, before 8 a.m. When I’m able to do this, I’m so energized, and the physicality stimulates my creativity. When I get to the keyboard to write, there is no hesitation. I’m able to just dive in, and I’m so thankful I’ve gotten myself on the right track.
What’s this have to do with you? And creating? And life?
It’s discipline. Folks. That’s the name of the game with any endeavor. You have to devote yourself to the task at hand with every fiber of your being. When you’re amazed at the output of some folks, when you wonder how they cram so much into one day, it’s because they want to. They prioritize the things that are important to them. And, sometimes, it’s better to get the words out than write about writing, and that’s largely why I disappear sometimes.
Yet, there is a caveat to this whole nose to the grindstone proposition, and that’s balance.
I’m not talking game balance here. I’m talking life balance. You have to have things in proper proportion, and it’s important to not let one facet of your life overwhelm the rest of it. We’re all guilty of this from time to time, and why it’s fine to have an artistic bent, and we all enjoy getting swept away in a particularly thrilling writing jag, we should not neglect other elements of our lives. Especially, the people in our lives. And ourselves.
I have pushed myself too hard at times, neglecting my health, my mental well-being, myself. This is something many of us have done. Don’t.
The work will be there tomorrow. While it’s good to reach your destination, enjoy the process, enjoy the people, and enjoy the moment. Move with a purpose, and you’ll accomplish great things.
Until next time, I bid you, dear reader, adieu.
