Early Earthling

I woke this morning before the alarm, and got up happy for an extra 15 minutes before leaving for work.  On Mondays I walk in to arrive soon after the fitness center opens at 6:30, so I can take a shower and be ready for my 7 o'clock yoga class.

I headed out the door about 5 minutes after the hour, braced for the chill.  30 degrees, the iPhone weather said, and it felt like it.  But the sky was dark and clear, and gave me a beautiful of Orion, Cassiopeia, the Pleiades, Venus and Saturn.  At the darkest spot, away from streetlights, I stopped to watch Orion for a couple of minutes.  Thinking of the vast distance, the energy streaming through space, and feeling very connected to this planet, knowing that every molecule in me is from here.  This planet, that holds me close to it, and also holds the atmosphere I need to breath, Earth.  I am most definitely an Earthling.

I arrived to find the gym dark.  Sometimes they're a few minutes late to open, but there are usually a few people waiting.  I was all alone.  I looked at my watch.  5:33, it said.  33... yes, they're a bit late.  Wait..... 5?

5:33 am?!!

It slowly dawned on me that from the moment I woke up and looked at the clock, I had gone through my early morning preparations an hour early.  I'd looked at several clocks, my watch, my phone, and never registered the hour.  I suddenly felt a little sleep deprived, and turned to what I would do for the hour I had to wait.