Coffee & Ravens

I love the morning routine my husband and I have fallen into.

He's not a morning person.  At all.  He never has been.  He likes his mornings easy.  Simple.  Quiet.  Almost contemplative.

I, on the other hand, wake up full of  words.  So.  Many.  Words.  I love to natter on about what I dreamt about, what the day ahead looks like, and whatever else pops into my head.  

I'm sure you see how our personalities may clash.

So what's the magical morning routine that plants peace?

We both laze in bed as long as possible.  After feeding the dogs, we go our separate ways.

Husband goes to the coffee bar in our kitchen where he takes his time crafting the perfect espresso.  Then he enjoys it.  In sweet silence.  

Photo Credit: GabiSanda

I jump right into my first workout of the day.  It's kind of like my coffee.  It helps me focus and reminds me of my goals.  

When I am done, I let husband know and then I go outside to feed and water my ravens - I have seven regulars now.  I linger, listen, and watch them dip their peanuts into fresh water.

Photo Credit: Alexas_Fotos

While I'm chattering with my ravens, husband is making us each a cup of coffee.  He asks me what flavor I would like and even foams my almond milk.  Sprinkles it with cinnamon.  My own private barista.

We enjoy our coffee together, either on the couch or on the back deck, and plan the day ahead.  The coffee wakes him up and my workout slows me down.  Balance.

Marriage can be hard.  Some find it even more difficult after the kids leave.  Husband and I, though, have found a new beginning in our empty nest, filling it with an easiness that fosters relationship, new routines, and dreams - both big and small.

Life will never be perfect, but I think that's the point.  To stop striving for everyone else's definition of perfection and define it for ourselves.  To create space for the people we are as well as for the people we are becoming.  

Photo Credit: CMLaurin

One of my favorite quotes is from Socrates and says,"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." How many arguments are spent trying to prove we are right without even considering there may be something we can learn from the other person? Perhaps if we had the wisdom we have now when we were younger, we would have been better partners to each other and better parents to our children.

Coffee and silence. Pilates and ravens. This hard won understanding, this balance, is the perfect routine for our two very different personalities.

Do you have a morning routine?

Thanks for stopping by!