I rise at 5 am.

My alarm goes off 15 minutes prior, and as I snooze, I lie in bed reciting affirmations to myself, through the open door of my subconscious mind.

“I love my life.”

“I believe something wonderful will happen to me today.”

“I am so grateful for my life.”

“I breathe in joy and gratitude.”

The second alarm invites me to go into the shower, to slide into wakefulness with the elemental power of water.

I dress in comfortable clothes, put the kettle on to boil, and leave my house to climb the mountain.

The paved drive goes up to the summit, where I can look down into the valley of San Isidro, and watch the sun rise over the Chirripo mountains. In the distance I can see the highest peak in Central America.

There is often a cascading layer of clouds weaving through the valleys below me, all reflecting different shades of gold and auburn with the morning light.

I greet the rising sun with meditation rituals that put me in tune with the pace of the cosmos.

This glorious state of elevated consciousness is my privilege and my honor to attain each morning.

Lightly I walk down the mountainside on the steep paved drive, so that I may feast my eyes upon the majestic views as I descend into the rest of my day.

When I return to the house, my family has awoken, and I play with my children and drink hot dark coffee. We have a gentle, joyous time together.

The beginnings of my days are nothing short of magical. It sets the pace for a truly magical life, one that I am exceptionally grateful to be experiencing.