I took this photo a few months back, during the bloom of my hometown’s stunning iris gardens (see post here). In the early morning hours, before sunrise, Jon and I woke up, grabbed our cameras and headed out. The grass was covered in dew and the air was chilly, while most everyone in town was still cozy in their beds. Together we took pictures and watched the glowing light sparkle behind the tops of the trees, the world slowly lighting up around us.

I love early mornings – they give me peace, make me feel energized, and I relish feeling ahead of the day’s schedule. There’s nothing more calming than hearing the wind through the grass, the rustle of birds waking up, and the quiet hush before sunrise. Last week in Italy, I found myself enjoying a sunrise over golden Tuscan fields, and in Rome, we watched the sun flare behind the crumbling columns of the empire’s epic Forum. These are mornings I’ll never forget.

Now that I’m home, I’m holding on to the jet lag as best I can, in order to keep rising at dawn. When the world is still there is time to reflect and notice the beauty around you, and this picture, taken at dawn of a colorful bearded iris, represents that for me.

So, I guess I’ll see you again tomorrow, at sunrise.

What time do you like to wake up? Have you ever tried to make jet lag work to your advantage? Share with me in the comments below! I’m looking forward to sharing the photos from our recent vacation to Europe, so stay tuned for some great posts!