As I write this update I am at our future home in Taos NM, a wonderful, magical place that has captured my wife’s and I imagination. The natural beauty and the wide array of people and experiences you can have here are breathtaking. I am truly blessed to be able to have a great place to go to for the next 50.

This past weekend I experienced fly-fishing for the first time. My friend Scott and I came out to the house before some business meetings we have locally. Scott is an experienced fly-fisherman and so we have made a concerted effort to fish almost all of the three days we had. We fished the Cimarron River on Saturday and two places on the Rio Grande Sunday and Monday. Scott caught a total of 11 fish. Me, none. But it was truly a sublime couple of days despite my lack of a catch.

I think the really introspective thing I take away from the three days is that fishing is ultimately a practice in mindfulness. Mindfulness seems to be all the rage today as people try to disconnect from their electronic gadgetry and actually try to engage in life. The simple idea is to be “in-the-moment”, without distraction. Being hip deep in the Rio Grande with the water rushing by and it is only you and the fish is very relaxing. There is nothing else to do or to think about accept cast and recast. Occasionally you might need to re-rig your lures, which is an excellent study in concentration.

One of my absolute favorite things to do at the house start with waking up about 30 minutes BEFORE sunrise. I put on my slippers and a jacket this time of year as the coldest part of the day are the few minutes before the Sun arrives. A hot cup of coffee in my hand and I head outside, sitting on a antiqued bench my son-in-law crafted. Looking east over the mountains, the sky often turns a brilliant crimson, then bright oranges and yellows until finally the sun crests the ridges and bathes the high desert in light and warmth.

In experiencing the sunset, it seems natural to me to practice mindfulness, almost meditation, as I reject distracted thoughts and concentrate on the constantly changing pallet of colors unfolding before me and the hot, chocolaty comfort in my mug. The scene is comforting, spiritual, relaxing and centering as night turns into day. There is nothing like it.

For four of the days this week I didn’t get up early to sit and watch the sun. On those days, something seemed off. I was more tired, less focused and less effective. Of so it seemed. When I took the time and welcomed the sun with a clear, focused mind my days were more enjoyable and I seemed to me more effective and less tired.

At home in Ohio, I have spent many mornings practicing a routine I have outlined previously and it has had the similar effect. Although my basement and elliptical machine is not nearly as awe inspiring as the views of northern New Mexico, my cumulative assessment is that taking a concerted effort to just be, to clear ones mind and focus is something I will continue to cultivate. Hopefully I’ll be doing it in the middle of a river in NM sometime rather than my basement but until then, maintaining and accentuating my morning routine will be a priority.

Have you started a morning routine to set up your day for success?