Waking Up Early

An early bird catches the worm first.

Time and again, I often wonder why waking up early is inherent
to my nature.

At exactly 6 am, every morning, I am wide awake regardless
whether I sleep early or later. I wonder because even if I wish
to extend my sleep I cannot. The innate clock tells its toll.
I am set for the day and ready to face what lies ahead.
There is no leisure time for a lazy bone.

I remember with vivid memory: As a child, I was always forced
to wake up as early as 5:30 am to do some chores at home.
My father would never tolerate any of his children to stay longer
on bed before the sun rose. I always retaliated.

There were times that I cried and complained. Nothing was heard
except that I had to wake up early and did the chores I was assigned
to do even if it was contrary to my intended schedule. The rest of
the siblings had their own responsibilities to fulfill and I believed
they, too, had the same sentiments as I had. However, with heavy
hearts, we were compelled to accomplish whatever responsibilities
assigned to us in order to make mom and dad happy. I never knew
if they were pleased at all.

As a family, we had accomplished so much in a whole day.
My mom would always attest that she would not have any problems
with washing and ironing clothes, nor with cooking and setting table
for lunch or dinner, nor with many other chores to be done at home
as many mothers would complain. All the siblings were the working
force of the house. Household help was not needed at all. Everything
was done by the children. We were always together doing endless
chores at home. Beyond any doubt, we were always proud of our
daily accomplishments. We had so much fun and laughter
despite the presence of some hardships and innuendos of retaliations
or complaints. We had had a whole family, working together.
Having many children was a treasure as my father would
always brag to his friends.

We never realized its value until many years later.

Some people may call it, child-labor or others may mention,
abuse of parental authority, but I would say those years were
precious moments of bonding and formation.

Young siblings were trained to face the future, even if sometimes
the road ahead could be rough and tough.

Sometimes I often wonder how come I have a high capacity for
tolerance. I looked back and I realized that I had a good training
here. Right now, I feel very grateful and am very fortunate.
Otherwise, I would have been a different person.
I have the capacity to work hard and the vital energy to cope up
with any situation. Where did I get them? I just wonder.

Reminiscing back, I say today, thanks to those years of waking up
early and trying to find the food first as an early bird.

Now, here is a whole lifetime ahead. Beyond doubt, I say I am ready.
I can say this, time and again, I have been taught to look beyond life.

The day starts with waking up early and facing the sun ahead.

Did the early bird really capture worm first?
I presume, the older mother bird retains the answer.

[F. P. Tam]

DAILY ACCEPTANCE PRAYER

I accept myself completely.
I accept my strengths and my weaknesses,
my gifts and my shortcomings,
my good points and my faults.

I accept myself completely as a human being.
I accept that I am here to learn and grow, and
I accept that I am learning and growing.
I accept the personality I've developed, and
I accept my power to heal and change.

I accept myself without condition or reservation.
I accept that the core of my being is goodness and
that my essence is love, and
I accept that I sometimes forget that.

I accept myself completely, and in this acceptance
I find an ever-deepening inner strength.
From this place of strength, I accept my life fully and
I open to the lessons it offers me today.

I accept that within my mind are both fear and love, and
I accept my power to choose which I will experience as real.
I recognize that I experience only the results of my own choices.

I accept the times that I choose fear
as part of my learning and healing process, and
I accept that I have the potential and power
in any moment to choose love instead.

I accept mistakes as a part of growth,
so I am always willing to forgive myself and
give myself another chance.

I accept that my life is the expression of my thought, and
I commit myself to aligning my thoughts
more and more each day with the Thought of Love.
I accept that I am an expression of this Love.
Love's hands and voice and heart on earth.

I accept my own life as a blessing and a gift.
My heart is open to receive, and I am deeply grateful.
May I always share the gifts that I receive
fully, freely, and with joy.

(Unknown)