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Today's thought: You want more, and there is not enough time between 7 am and 10 pm to do all the things you want to do. 


I find this to be very true. When I roll of out bed in the morning, I am rushing to get to work, and I might even forget something at home. By the time I get off of work, finish cooking dinner, cleaning up the dinner mess, I don't feel like doing much of anything unless it involves my couch and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. So my goal is to use my Early to Rise moments to be selfish and do the things I want to do, like blogging, reading, exercising, and enjoying a nice cup o' joe. I also think this will teach me discipline, which is why I am so determined to make rising early a habit. How will you be selfish with your mornings?


Today's action item is to buy slippers. Thanks to my good friend Falland, I have the best slippers ever! I love these things. They are so comfy and sturdy. 

 
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I'd like to be polite and say good morning, but today is feeling more like a "bah humbug" kind of morning. I made the decision to get out of bed on time today, but my body is not happy about it. Doing this challenge is really teaching me mind over matter. My mind has to be stronger than my body when it says "stay in bed, just one more minute."

Key point from today: Today is an adventure, and by getting out of bed early, we get a head start on the wonderful adventure called life. Let's just say I am tired, drained, and have  slight headache, so I am not feeling very adventure-ready right about now. I will press on, because I know that this too shall pass and I will once again enjoy the adventure. I am downloading the sleep cycle app on my phone to help wake me up during the lightest part of sleep (within a thirty minute time gap). Maybe that is why I am such a grump this morning....but I will press on.

Thought to ponder: A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner. - Anonymous. How are you sailing this morning? Make it a great day.

 
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Good morning! Today is Day One of my Early to Rise Challenge. As you can see, I made it out of bed by 6 am as planned today! Listening to day one of Andy Traub's book as I write this. I don't want to give away too much of the book (because you should buy it!) but Monday - Friday I will share one key point from the daily chapter.

Today's reading is about believing that you can do this challenge. It asks us to IMAGINE. Imagine a different life -- one where we are refreshed and ready to meet the day and all of it's challenges instead of rolling out of bed and rushing though the day. Instead of the day controlling us, we control the day. I imagine working on the goals I set at the beginning of the year, and greeting my students from a place of peace instead of frustration and chaos. I imagine quiet time with God through prayer and reading in the morning. I imagine better health and fitness by returning to my morning yoga. 

What do YOU imagine for your day? Whatever you do, make it a great day!

 
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A couple of months ago I embarked upon a challenge to rise earlier for 30 days in order to become a better person. I did not complete the first thirty days. The second time, I completed the 30 day program, but I was unable to stick to rising early after I completed it. The goal is to renew that spark for rising early and make it a continued part of my daily routine, even after I have completed the month-long reading.s. 

I enjoyed the quiet time I created for myself at 6:00 am in the morning. Time that allowed me to make and eat breakfast, brew and enjoy a cup of coffee, pray, read, and work on my life goals list. Not only did I reap those benefits, but I arrived at work more alert, refreshed, and ready to tackle the day and whatever it brought. And trust me, when you work with high schoolers, the day brings a whole lot!

Tomorrow I will begin the challenge for the third time, and hopefully the last! I commit to waking up no later than 6:00 am Monday - Friday, allowing for grace on the weekends! For accountability, I will post the times I wake up each day and what I did with the early to rise time. Now, who wants to join me? :)

 
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Hey Y'all, 

Please forgive me for my extended absence! My intentions were good but life got the best of me for the past month and  a half, and I have not had a chance to write. What have I been doing with my time, you ask? Well, a better question might be what haven't I been doing!

My spring is off to a great start, beginning with a trip to the Nats vs. Cubs game at the Nationals Stadium. Although we lost, I had a fun time visiting with friends and a coworker, who taught me about the game of baseball. To top it off, we had great seats, courtesy of my job. Thanks DC-CAP!


 
Hey Friends! Hope you are enjoying this wonderful Memorial Day weekend. I am excited to share with you a project that was started by my friend and colleague, Shenita Denson. Please check out The Bohemian Bella, www.thebohemianbella.com, where you can read about people who are daring to be themselves and positively influence others their world. Read the article on the Bohemian Bellas, and you may see a familiar face! :) 

Thanks for featuring me on your blog Shenita! I am so honored that you condi I am looking forward to reading more of your blog and supporting your non-profit! We need more inspiring people like you in the world!