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.