early morning light – Dialect of Heart

– 20mins: Reading in the cone of yellow light of a desk lamp; nothing and no one to interrupt this almost meditative moment.

– 30mins: Walking. Soaking up the warm sunshine and the cool, clean air.

– 15 mins: A ‘pre-breakfast’ smoothie/coconut water/juice. Unhurried relish. Watering plants. Extending the calm.

– 45 mins: Study/work on a project. Absolute stillness.

– 30 mins: A quick organisation overview . Pick up stuff, put in right place. 5 minute clean up. Check important mail. Schedule day. Pack lunch. Pack bag. Gather keys, socks, water bottles. Pray.

– 20 mins: Unhurried bath. With some music. And a scented candle. Think. Ruminate. Moisturise. Get dressed. Wear perfume.

– 15 mins: Eat a hearty breakfast. Slowly. Talk. Laugh

– 5 mins: Smile. Kiss. Hug. Step out to work.

I couldn’t find a ‘snazzy’ (as described in the photo project rules) background in my home. So, here is my nesting nook next to my bed with the pale early morning light and fog as the background. Also the giant Ghibi-esque trees outside my window.

My nesting nook comprises of two large storage boxes, my day bag, a hot/cold water bottle, my ‘essentials’ pouch, medicine kit, a small ganesha idol, dried ginger candy and wireless headphones.

One of the storage boxes is for soft linen including few pieces of mustard and rust coloured work-wear from Uniqlo, two checkered pattern kaftans for lounging around at home, few handkerchiefs and a piglet soft to from three decades ago.

The other storage box contains the books I am reading (simultaneously), my Kindle and iPad, rice crackers and a box of mixed dry fruits for early morning and late night snacks.

The ‘essentials’ pouch contain travel sized vials of a face serum, an eye gel, a lip mask, prenatal vitamins and essential medicines, a small notebook to keep track of budget and also double as a pregnancy planner.

Everything I need on a daily basis, is right within my reach, all at one place.

Yet, every morning when I wake up, my nesting nook is silhouetted against this milky, foggy blur of the early morning with my favourite trees barely peeking through in the background.

And this ordinary background of my mornings is what I want to highlight today.