I used to be a night owl. I preferred staying up late and sleeping until noon.

In my mid twenties I changed my ways. I became an early bird. I preferred to be in bed by 10 or 11 p.m. and get up at 6 a.m.

My preference toward early morning came as I realized my mind was clearer after a good nights sleep than an all night pow wow.

Morning also has the advantage of allowing you to do things like go to the grocery. Most grocery stores are open at 7 a.m. most good ones are not open at 2 a.m.

There is also the feeling I get in the morning. There is a peace before the world shifts into 3rd gear. And I get a sense that I am somehow a step ahead of everyone else. As I am easing into my second or third hour of waking everyone else is just shaking the cobwebs off. As I am getting my second wind in the afternoon, others are feeling the early afternoon slump.

If you are up early you can savor your tea. You can watch the sunrise. You can hang out in your pajamas for a little longer before shuffling off into the world.

And I love the early morning sunlight. Whether it is the early rising summer sun or white cool light of winter mornings. The sunlight before noon is magical somehow. Any photographer will tell you morning is the best light by which to capture things.

Yes, sometimes I slip back into my night owl ways. But when I wake up late and realize I have missed the best part of the day, I always regret it.