"Those who stay up late are mostly consuming; those who rise early are truly nourishing themselves." Those who master the morning are masters of their own lives. Each morning upon waking, whether through reading, writing, exercise, meditation, or mindfulness, we fill ourselves with inner richness and joy—a feeling of winning at the starting line. This sense of accomplishment and superiority sets the tone for a day where victory feels assured.
At the start of the year, when everyone in the group chat was sharing their 2020 goals, M—a member of the post-80s generation—wrote just four words: sleep early, rise early. A habitual night owl, she recently came across a phrase: "Those who stay up late are mostly consuming; those who rise early are truly nourishing themselves." This inspired her to make a firm resolution and sign up for a yoga early-rising challenge.Though the sudden COVID-19 pandemic hit the pause button on all our lives, M never missed a single day of her yoga check-ins. She noted that during this period, the sisters in her group became even more enthusiastic and dedicated.
In early April, M shared photos of her yoga poses, and I was stunned. I never imagined that in just four months, she’d transform from a complete beginner to a yoga enthusiast capable of performing a shoulder-elbow stand.
Perseverance in Early Rising: Sunshine and Breezes in Old Age
Speaking of early rising, my parents immediately come to mind. This year, I've shared my mom's WeChat step count multiple times on my social media. Often, before I've even gotten out of bed, my 80-year-old mother has already topped my WeChat step leaderboard. For instance, at 7 a.m. on April 23rd, her step count was "6482," ranking first.
During our video chats, Mom always beams as she tells me, "I went out at 4:30 this morning to walk along the riverbank." Sometimes I remind her that exercising too early isn't good for her health, especially at her age. Mom replies, "I go to bed at 9 p.m. and sleep until around 4 a.m. Then I just can't stay in bed anymore."Indeed, my parents are as tough as nails—turning off the TV at 9 p.m. and sleeping until past 4 a.m. is plenty. Usually, Mom goes out for a stroll while Dad stays home doing some light exercise and massage routines. He’s accustomed to eating breakfast and then taking a walk in the morning sun.
Now, my 85-year-old dad and 80-year-old mom live by the motto "exercise first." So far, they've avoided any age-related illnesses. My sister and brother-in-law usually come home on weekends to play mahjong with them, and they play all day long. Both seniors are full of energy, not letting my sister and her husband take a nap.
Getting up early to exercise has kept my parents strong and happy well into their 80s.
When the pandemic first erupted, 84-year-old Academician Zhong Nanshan stepped forward. His alert spirit and robust physique were a powerful rebuttal to the notion that "old age is inevitably fraught with hardship."Recently, while reading Zhuangzi's "The Great Master," the passage "To live out one's natural lifespan without premature death is the pinnacle of wisdom" immediately brought to mind the image of Academician Zhong Nanshan.
Indeed, old age can be as serene and beautiful as a day of gentle breeze and sunshine, like my parents; old age can also be as magnificent as the rising sun, like Academician Zhong Nanshan.
I take pleasure in rising early, finding a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment in the morning.
Nan Huaijin once said, "He who masters the morning masters life." Having lived past fifty, I can attest to its truth.
During Weibo's heyday, I followed children's author Zheng Yuanjie, who maintained a strict 5 a.m. check-in routine.Zheng Yuanjie is a prolific writer, and most of his fairy tales were "born" in the morning. He usually finished his daily work by 10 a.m., leaving the rest of the day free.
Indeed, the more self-disciplined you are, the more freedom you have. I am also an early riser. In college, among the eight girls in my dorm, I was the only one who got up every morning to run on the track.After entering the workforce, I maintained this routine, often using the time for writing. Especially after my child was born, I suddenly felt pressed for time, making the rare quiet of early mornings all the more precious.
Between the ages of 30 and 40, I used my mornings to complete ten books. After turning 45, when writing books was no longer my primary goal, mornings became my reading time. I found great joy in copying texts and reading aloud.
Each morning upon waking, whether reading, writing, exercising, meditating, or sitting in contemplation, we can fill our inner selves with joy—a feeling of winning at the starting line. This mood, brimming with accomplishment and satisfaction, sets the tone for a day where victory feels assured.
Some say: How you spend your mornings is how you spend your life. Those who master the morning are likely those who actively steer their own destinies.I recall a master-disciple dialogue: The disciple asked, "How should one apply oneself throughout the twelve hours?" The master replied, "You are driven by the twelve hours; this old monk drives the twelve hours."
Indeed, everyone has 24 hours in a day. Some are pushed along by events, living a "passive" life, while others turn it around, living an "active" life.
Think about it: if you rise one hour earlier each day, you gain 30 extra hours monthly—360 hours annually. Use those 360 hours to master a skill, read more books, or commit to regular workouts... This is how gaps between people gradually widen.
Waking up early is a dividend you can pay yourself in life—you deserve it!