Up at the crack of dawn
You see true beauty unfold
Birds singing-awakening to a new day
Music to the ears to behold.

Up at the crack of dawn
You can breathe in the morning air
Sweet perfume to cleanse the soul
No perfume could even compare.

Up at the crack of dawn
Looking outside you sigh
For before you a curtain of rainbows unfold
As the creator paints the sky.

Up at the crack of dawn
You watch as the rising sun starts a new day
As small creatures around you scurry to and fro
With no cares-no worries in their way.

Up at the crack of dawn
Natures' beauty fills the morn
Reminding you that this is only a glimpse
Of the beauty where life is born

Up at the crack of dawn
Up at the stroke of five
You can savour the world around you
Knowing the beauty of being alive.

Up at the crack of dawn
.
Poem byIrishgrrl
Copyrighted March 2000 at 5:30 AM

~Ralph W. Emerson~

I wrote this upon rising and listening to the sounds around me outside. Birds, and all the sounds of nature surrounded me, as
I sat sipping on my morning cup of coffee.  It was a few minutes after 5:00 a.m. The sun was coming up over the horizon.  I took
my cup of coffee-and walked outside; standing in awe of all
the beauty of the morning-as I watched birds and squirrels searching for their breakfast for themselves and their young. 
The beauty of this inspired the poem above-but also made me realize-how often we take such small wonders as these
for granted in such a big and busy world.  If you've forgotten 
the beauty of the sunrise or the sounds of birds and nature on a spring morning, and you wake up gulping down that cup of coffee-rushing off to meet the demands of a job and life;
I'd like to make a few suggestions that may start your day off 
on a better "foot"..

TRY getting up ONE hour earlier-
(NO it won't kill you! *S*)

STOP- LOOK-and LISTEN!
(Fix that cup of coffee and sit down and listen to 
the sounds outside your home!   NO RADIO!!!)
.
FOR THIS ONE HOUR-FORGET ALL YOUR PROBLEMS!!
They're not going to be solved  -
until YOU relax and can think clearly!!
Make the decision this is YOUR hour to relax-not worry!
 

GO OUTSIDE!!
(Walk outside when you're fully awake-close your eyes
and BREATHE several deep breaths of the morning air
inhaling it slowly and release any tension in your body!
Open your eyes and LOOK and LISTEN at every single creature around you-the birds-bees, flowers-take it all IN!!  You should realize that your life is a GIFT as much as those
creatures you hear and see and this IS a NEW DAY!)

LAST BUT NOT LEAST...

Watch the sunrise coming up.  The sunrise is so glorious to 
watch in the wee morning hours as its' many colors grace
the skies with its beauty.

NOW...

Walk inside-and I am sure you'll now realize
THIS IS A NEW DAY with NEW possibilities and things to see..

Make a decision how you can make this day COUNT...

Then put on a BIG SMILE-and go out to greet the world with it!!
.
(This ONE HOUR a  day could just change your LIFE!)
.
:)
.
P.S. Why do you think the Native Americans are up at the crack of dawn??
.
Smart People!
*Smile*

1-Go for a walk in a well-lit SAFE area
2- Try to find a quiet place to sit down away
from traffic and noise
3-If this isn't possible-just wake up early and
put on some NATURE sounds CDs.  There
are some wonderful ones out there-and you
can also find them in your local public library!
Just find MUSIC that touches your heart
and your SOUL!!   It works wonders!
4-If you can't find the sunset to VIEW at home-
find one ONLINE in the many applet sites that
have some very nice sunsets to view!! 
They may not be the "Real thing" but they are
about the closest thing to 'view' next to it!
.
I personally on "nasty rainy days" can put a NATURE CD on in the morning-
OR just a soothing classical or soothing CD (whatever type of music is 
"SOOTHING" or peaceful to you-put it ON!-Check out the Sunday Morning Coffee CDS if you like classical music!!) and relax with a cup of coffee and surf the many awesome water and sunrise applets people have put up on their websites!!  Early  mornings are a GREAT time to pamper your soul and spirit 
with things that help you build up your energies; and get CHARGED-UP to face the day and whatever it may bring-YOU will be ready!!!
.
Find out what you believe in spiritually.  If you don't know -find OUT!
We are all physical creatures - but we all have a soul/spirit.
Everyone learns that one day-young and old alike!!
Who put you on this earth...and why are YOU here???
There IS a Reason!!   Find out what it is!!
I promise you the answers are there - but you must seek them.
Some answers we seek are an ongoing learning process in our lives.
Spending time alone not only helps you find out who you are...
 It helps you to discover what you can become.
.
Time on this earth is a treasure-but learning to give out of yourself
to others will not only help others--BUT will bless YOU more than you
will ever know! There's always someone out there hurting far more-
far more hungry, needy, in despair than YOU are-FIND THEM!
Learn to encourage others-and you will always have it for yourself!

Always be truthful with others-if you want the truth for yourself!
Trust and honesty as you grow older will be the ONLY things
that may matter to you-no matter if you're male OR female!!
That old cliche of "Inner Beauty" begins to make sense then.
I believe whatever a person literally gives "OUT" in life--
they will get that "back" in their own lifetime- so spread some
LOVE, PEACE, HOPE and a SMILE with someone today!
.
You may never know whose life you may touch-until you try!

This IS

"THE END" 
:)

I appreciate your time for reading this-TAKE CARE!!
Feel free to write me anytime w/comments!!!
Irishgurrl

~ SUNRISE~

.....