Inspired by the City that Never Sleeps

At 5:40 am I'd force myself to roll out of bed and reach for my T-shirt, gym shorts, and remarkably unattractive tennis shoes. Each were carefully placed by the door the night before.  I knew that if I had to search for my clothes or do anything requiring clarity of thought that early I’d get frustrated and crawl back into bed.

Next, I'd set my iPod to some inspirational music or an audiobook.  Beginning on a productive note set the tone for how I wanted the rest of the day to go.  

Once I had music playing and was out of the apartment I was on my way.  

I discovered that waking up was always the most difficult part but once I was moving the next steps got progressively easier.

The City that Never Sleeps

The best part of my morning stroll to the gym was watching the city slowly wake up with me.  The Empire State building towered behind me as I saw street vendors setting up for the blitz of morning commuters who would want their coffee sans chit-chat.  

I noticed other early-risers through brightly lit grocery store windows carefully stocking aisles.  

There were baristas wiping down tables and making fresh coffee.  

I saw commuters marching up from the subway on their way to work.  

When I considered that many of them commuted from the furthest corners of New Jersey, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx to get into the city before 6:00 am I mentally tipped my cap to them in admiration.  

Every morning I would make the same observation and instinctively pick up my own pace. 

Initiative I discovered is contagious.