Discipline as Joy

As an entrepreneur, I get to make my own hours. Luxurious you say? Well, perhaps …
What it has taught me is that discipline can be such joy. Let me tell you.

Unlike many artists (or at least unlike the stereotype), I love getting up early. I love the quiet of early mornings, I like getting a good start on the day, and I love my morning rituals.  Right now, in the middle of winter here in Nova Scotia, an early start is actually quite important, as my studio is a separate small building away from the house, which is heated mainly by way of a wood stove.

So the very first thing I do every morning after I have had my hot water with lemon juice, is make (or shovel) my way to the studio and start my fire,usually before the sun has risen. I love this early morning routine. It is, in a way, a micro example of my whole life as an artist entrepreneur: I literally create my own world every day. I am solely responsible, it is up to me.

Once the fire is made, I tramp back through the snow to the house to have my first breakfast of chia seeds, nuts and yogourt, with my beloved tea (I really really care about the quality of my tea, and really really cherish it). A half hour or hour later, after my morning meditation, another log or two will go on the fire before I make a proper breakfast (yup, I like to eat!). The studio will be warm by the time I am ready to work, around 8:30, but no later than 9am.

And while the word ‘discipline’ has often negative connotations, I thought it worthwhile to mention that I find the gentle discipline of this morning routine, for example, incredibly joyful.