“The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.   Don’t go back to sleep.” – Rumi

Magic Hour

There is that magic hour right before dawn breaks and the sky turns a beautiful orange hue. The stillness is palpable as the sky turns one shade lighter after another. As if the darkness that enveloped the night sky was but a fading dream.

If you pay attention, you can feel the energy in the air. It is rich and buzzing with the potential of the coming day. It’s the magic hour as vibrations are high. The birth of a new day.

There are many benefits to being awake at this hour.

I find mornings to be the best time for self-care. In the silent hour before the world wakes up, it is just you and your thoughts.

There are many things you can do to make the most out of this magic hour.

5 Things You Can Do

You can journal. There’s no better time to be reflective. Write down your stream of consciousness in longhand. Don’t edit and don’t filter. In doing this, you get your subconscious thoughts out of your head and onto paper. Don’t be surprised if a sudden burst of creativity pops up this way. Creativity often lies buried under a muck of tiresome thoughts that can make up your day-to-day.

You can be still. When water is calm, then you see your reflection. Taking time out to clear your mind of all those mundane thoughts allows you to access a deeper level of yourself. This is your inner being, your true self. The same self that pervades all things. Watch how you feel when you let your body be. If you feel emotion, then it’s a sign that your body is in need of healing. Your body is in its natural state when you feel a bubble of joy, a giggle and happiness, however faint.

You can move your body (in a way that pleases you). Start with gentle movements, inviting the earth’s morning energy into your system. Simple stretches get the chi (life force) flowing more freely throughout your body. I like to do some yoga in the morning. I find that it wakes me up and leaves me feeling revitalized, ready to take on the day.

You can set your intentions for the day. What better time to set your goals for the day than when the world is just waking up. There’s something about the stillness that brings calm to the mind and also powerfully backs up your intentions with the force of the universe. Let your wishes and dreams go in detachment and know that the universe is always on your side.

You can begin your work. I think this is the secret to many a man’s success. Starting early before their comrades are even awake. This gives you a head start to your projects, and a very resolute one at that. The peace in the morning provides you the space for additional insight that may be lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

I know what you’re thinking. It’s too early! I thought the same way. I was a night owl for many years. I didn’t do anything drastic. I just let myself wake up 15 minutes earlier every day. Since I enjoyed my time alone, it started becoming easier for me to do.

Pretty soon, I was waking up a whole hour earlier, and then even earlier than that. I didn’t concern myself with what time I went to bed.   My body just naturally wanted to rest earlier as well.

Nature’s Way

Getting up at dawn puts you back into the natural cycle of the world. Before lights and electronic devices were invented, people would rise with the sun and sleep when it got dark. Doing so is a huge factor in feeling strong and empowered. There is nothing that compares with the natural energy being one with the universe brings.

Try waking up earlier. Be gentle with yourself. Know that everything is a process of growth. Every day serves you in many ways. It’s up to you to see the magic in every hour of the day.