Happy 4th of July!

Today, I allowed myself to sleep in.

In the past, this would have meant 10:00 AM.

Now?

I’m proud to say that “sleeping in” looks a lot more like 6:30 AM.

That. Is. Revealing.

I got up, and immediately worked out with George. (You should follow us on youtube . . . really, we’re quite entertaining.)

The fact that I woke and immediately exercised is once again . . .

Revealing.

Of a SUPER CHANGE in my life. I’ve made so many of them over the last 4 years. My intention in sharing this is not to brag. I can honestly say I never thought that I would switch to being a morning person, but if the brain is capable of rewiring itself, why not in the area of whether one is an early bird or a night owl?

Let me restate. The brain can be rewired. I know this. (‘Cause I have medical friends who have confirmed it for me . . .) I live this. I’ve experienced this. I teach this. I watch other’s lives change because of this. God created the complex circuitry of our minds and it is fascinating to me that we can change our thoughts,  develop new habits, and create new paths for ourselves just by changing our outlook and approach.

(Stepping into the confessional.)

I have one “monkey thought” that just won’t take a hike. Or, better yet, one I am having a problem releasing back into the jungle. It’s clutching on to me tight. I’ve dropped it before – but I just keep inviting it back. And this is troubling to me.

Don’t be fooled by its cuteness. It’s not.

No, I’m not a closet alcoholic, or a kleptomaniac. I even keep my clothes on in public. Sheesh, you are so dramatic. ;-)

My “monkey thoughts” are situations (and one in particular) that continually irk the begezus out of me. They are lingering, dangling, “get off my back, all ready, will ya!”, types of situations.

So, today’s reading in The Early To Rise Experience: Learn To Rise Early in 30 Days (Early To Rise Series) struck a very uncomfortable chord in me, for what I thought I had released, I obviously haven’t. When he asked us to think of a situation from which we needed freedom, THAT monkey starting howling. Again. Really? $%#& primate!

Andy gave some great ideas as to how to pry the monkey off . . . or rather, confidently and graciously demand that the primate please find another space to rent, and I do plan on implementing those ideas. For, I follow directions. I must serve that cheeky bugger an eviction notice.

How fitting that Day 27 of my Early to Rise Challenge had me reading THIS particular entry. On none other than Independence Day.

Who else needs freedom from a monkey?

Can we just send them all to an island somewhere?