February 28, 2024
Morning Reflections
The world is made up of morning people and night owls. We each have a preferred time of day when we feel like we’re at our best. We’ve found that many of our Bella Grace readers and contributors like to awaken early and start their days when the sun is beginning to make its appearance. For them, these early hours allow them to gently move into their day. Read on to delve into snippets of their articles about the morning time.
Words by Ella Wilson and photo by Atle Rønningen | Bella Grace Issue 3
Chasing Light
I have night-owl tendencies, but my hound has taught me to appreciate and chase light. I hear whimpering by my bed, then a wet, cold nose nudging my elbow. Now the sun’s translucent fingers tickle my heavy eyelids awake. I am up, and Buster nods his head, his tail thumping the rug. He dances around my legs until I open the French doors and let him outside. Buster’s velvet black ears are white now, but I love that he still has pup-like moments.
For me, chasing light is visual poetry, as I photograph the freshness of the sun’s first smile. I love to watch flowers open their infant fists. It forces the gray rose in my fertile mind to bloom. Yes, I still have a few night-owl tendencies, but most of Buster’s hooting and howling is now done by daylight. Buster has taught me to appreciate the sunlight’s gifts. I can now witness the first attempts of light painting my world. Yes, my old boy still has a few tricks to teach me. I am grateful to share mornings with my beagle and see the world through Buster’s eyes.
Read Ella Wilson’s full article in Bella Grace Issue 3.
Words by Misa Terral and photo by Charlotte Trotman | Bella Grace Issue 5
Mining the Quiet
The gentle quiet of the morning is what I love most. Silence has a gift in its stillness, the willingness to amplify the immeasurable things. The whisper of the breeze, the rustling of a squirrel, bird, or deer, the casual coo of a mourning dove. As I stand on the edge of an empty street and face east, I listen for the waking signs and wait. The mug I hold warms me as its misty vapors rise to dance in the collective chorus and magnificent crescendo that is the sunrise.
Many mornings, I stand outside in the silent twilight, just before dawn. I do this before anyone wakes in the house. The stars soon begin to fade and the halo of light begins in the east. Sometimes a deer crosses the lawn or a runner runs down the street. I say nothing to break the silence. I graciously observe.
You can find the rest of Misa Terral’s article in Bella Grace Issue 5.
Words and photo by Paige Leigh Reist | Bella Grace Issue 8
How to Become a Morning Person
I’m not convinced being a morning person is a natural inclination but only that I have a few habits that make mornings my favorite time of day. It’s all about doing Future You a few favors.
Give yourself the gift of time. Wake up early; savor the quiet slumbering of the world around you, and allow yourself to move gently into the day. Use these extra minutes to read, write, sketch, meditate, set intentions, or do something that is for you and you only. This time is sacred. Lace up your boots and climb the nearest hill to watch the sunrise, sweat it out in an early hot yoga class, or do something to get your blood moving.
What is it that you love most about the morning time?
Discover more beautifully penned stories and striking photographs in our Bella Grace magazine.
Judith Fine-Sarchielli
March 6, 2024 at 2:19 am
My morning ritual routine lasts for a couple of hours if I don’t have an early morning doctor appointment .
Check the weather, feel body sensations, Prayers and blessings, intentions, chakra meditation, skin and hair care, wardrobe, dream journaling, exercise.
After all this I am grounded and aware, open, and curious, I always make space for adventures. My Buddhist studies have been very helpful as I practice compassion for myself and others. I am a spiritual listener. Listen to strangers intimate woes as i inch down the neighborhood streets for a mile or so, stopping at the street corner shack lending library . Then, I go home and cook my healthy GlutenFree dinner, finish a few email posts, turn off my machines and read until 10:00 pm. I say goodnight to the Divine, report my daily intentions status and am out if this cage, flying into the heavens.
Karen Elaine Freeman
March 12, 2024 at 12:22 am
Mornings to me are a Crisp Fresh Start In a Brand New Chapter In my life Another Chance To try And get it Right An Adventure into the Unknown Seeing a Beautiful multi Colored Butterfly Flutter away inches in front of me as imaginer Opera plays in my mind Mornings are very Magical Leaps Of FAITH Wraped in peace I can I can I WILL
Karen
March 18, 2024 at 12:22 pm
This is exactly how I want to envision my mornings!! Magical & beautiful! I must share this on my youtube channel!
Monalisa BV
April 4, 2024 at 2:54 pm
May sound strange but I actually love my morning doing the birds cages/home( how I like to call it). Also feed them and my sweet pups too. Love having my birds on my shoulders or head whatever they choose for the moment. They also like to stay with me when I sit at my alter to meditate. It’s like they do it as well. My magic meditation mornings with my pets all around me. Find this so peaceful and a blessing filled with love. When I stretch they all think that’s play time.
Joni Marie Lawler
May 8, 2024 at 9:01 am
Love this~
Joni Marie Lawler
May 8, 2024 at 9:00 am
Love my days creating whimsical ladies all because of Bella Grace Magazine. This all happened from the death of my son 18 months ago. I picked up your magazine and have become a faithful follower. I needed solace, a pathway to walk me through my grief, peace and though the magazine I am enjoying nature from my own poach again. I have also just placed a lot of my art in a Studio for sale. Thank you so much for coming into my life andd giving me courage.