6 am club and feeling alive

As you read this, understand that it's penned right in the heart of the "6 a.m. club," a place I've strived to join for years. This club revolves around dedicating time to yourself between 6 and 7 a.m., whether for exercise, movement, or simply rubbing your eyes in amazement. This personal time sets the tone for my entire day, transforming it.

Over the past few years, entering this club has proven challenging. I've often hit the snooze button and skipped workouts, leaving me to navigate my day with depleted energy and a lackluster outlook.

So, what's the magic of 6 a.m.? It's quite straightforward—it provides a precious opportunity to be with yourself and primes your mind for a vibrant day ahead. From that moment, something shifts, and you reach a place in your heart where you're unquestionably grateful for being alive.

From your own little corner of the world, you begin to cultivate a gentler perspective on life. You contemplate the boundless possibilities of how to utilize your time—YOUR TIME. Frequently, I engage in journaling, physical activity, meditation, and stretching to tend to the parts of my body that require extra care.

Have you ever considered the beauty of having this one body and mind that undeniably belong to you?

Between 6 and 7 a.m., it's truly incredible to honor them, even when they awaken tired and weary. This is your time to shower them with love and understand their needs.

• Thank you, body, for carrying these precious babies, protecting me, and staying tender in a world that often demands toughness.

• Thank you, mind, for consistently seeking kindness. You bridge the gap between highs and lows, an unsung hero for your ability to provide softness rather than contributing to the unkindness the world already has enough of.

• Thank you, gut, for your unwavering vigilance, never taking breaks to rest, and creating a sense of safety within me.

• Thank you, body and mind, for being instrumental in my healing journey, guiding me through a life that often feels like uncharted territory.

If you're reading this, I hope you can begin living a life that fills you with gratitude for being alive. It needn't be extravagant; it can be found in the simplest of pleasures. Today, for me, it's savoring a warm cup of lemon water to nourish my body and asking myself, "Am I content in this moment?" Consistency is often key in nurturing healing, and dedicating time between 6 and 7 a.m. certainly lives up to its promise.

My husband often says that morning people hold a special power, and I wholeheartedly agree. Trust me on this one; I guarantee it.

Today, I'll use this time as a foundation for the rest of the day when emails inundate my inbox, and children engage in squabbles. It'll be my "me time" when it feels like there's none, and my 10-year-old eagerly shares the intricacies of his graphic novel, a topic that doesn't particularly pique my interest. I'll find that time to listen intently and truly see him because the present moment, which I'm in right now, will somehow create that space I need to be fully present.

So, what will you do in your own 6 a.m. club?