I really appreciate waking up with a six hour head start here in Miami. Both of my primary businesses are located in Hawaii, so the lion’s share of my contacts are sound asleep until I've already had my lunch.
The benefit is that I get to slow roll my mornings here. After a solid eight hours of good sleep, my morning ritual is to eat a protein stacked breakfast and follow it up with a lengthy cold plunge. Then a long walk along the waterfront under the beautiful Miami sun.
The purpose of my walk is threefold; to warm my body from the cold plunge, to get some exercise, and most importantly, to get some really good coffee. 😎
I stroll up to my favorite coffee spot about a mile away (even though there is a closer one just two blocks from where I live). Despite rotating a dozen different servers between their two spots, they’ve all gotten to know me due to my daily ritual. Each server greets me warmly with a smile and curiosity about my life. They treat me with respect not because I am a regular, but because I always return their kindness. They often begin making my coffee before I even place my order. I appreciate this cause it makes me feel like I am part of a community.
As I begin to have my coffee, I appreciate that this is my favorite time of day. Why? Because I realize that I’m in no rush to do anything next. Total time freedom. Perhaps my greatest achievement as an Entrepreneur.
Sometimes I sit down, inspired to write to this group. Other days, I’ll listen to an audiobook. If i feel like having a connection I will call a mentee or a friend. Many days I’ll just be present and go wherever my feet decide to take me.
Today, I decide to do two of the above. I listened to my favorite book of all time - “The Alchemist”. I have not explored this incredible book in many years, but as I listen to the actor Jeremy Irons narrate it, I realize just how significant it has been to my life.
It’s funny the things we forget. For instance, I used to hand out a copy of “The Alchemist” to every person that I felt had the potential to realize their personal legend. I have also forgotten just how much this book influenced my mindset. As I listen to the words I read so long ago, I realize that I chose to make them my mindset.
I am so grateful for the sun on my face, how amazing my body feels right now, and for the friend that gifted me this book 30 years ago. It is by far the most influential gift I have ever received. It makes me wonder if any of the people I gifted it to feel the same.
