The Study of One

Typically, I'm in bed by 9 p.m. and up at 5:30 a.m. Rarely do I change my routine, even on weekends - I find I handle my work week better if I don't. So many people I know hate Mondays and drag all day just trying to goose their bodies into submission after a weekend binge of oversleeping.

Well, unintentionally, I stayed up until nearly midnight last night working on my blog, and I worked right through my regular bedtime. Knowing I could sleep later than normal prompted my decision to keep on working.

Being true to myself, I was awake at 5:15 a.m. knowing full well I had only had 5 hours sleep - most definitely not enough for me - and I went back to sleep.

I awoke at 7:45 a.m., a more reasonable time, and got up. Now, here's where the study of one comes in. Usually, I jump out of bed and am raring to go -- turn on the water for tea, make coffee for my husband (careful to set the delay on the coffee maker since he works nights), turn on my computer, get the newspaper, handle my bathroom needs, and start reading the newspaper immediately. This all takes place in about five minute and all with a smile.

Whoa! Today that was not the case. My body was willing, but I couldn't even see! It was so bright. No wonder my husband comes to the kitchen at his usual 9:15 a.m. feeling like he's been attacked. He can barely see through his squinted eyes, arm raised to protect himself from the onset of daylight. Now I get it!

When I get up before the sun, my body can float through routine without difficulty as the sunrise is a slow and beautiful time. Gradually, my brain and body adjust to the upcoming day, slowly and patiently. I can rush through my routine but there is no sense of urgency. Waking up in the daylight gave me a sense of urgency I didn't like. I'm fine now and it didn't take long to adjust, but I am more annoyed, need more time to be with myself, before I am friendly.

The conclusion of my study of one: I'll be more patient with my husband when he wakes up this morning in the vivid sunshine - a crisp day - beckoning him to "GET UP!" I'll wait patiently while he gets his bearings ... it's the least I can do.