The Power of Suggestion

I’m falling in love with a book and a writer.

early to rise

Last night, I read in said book about a Japanese novelist who awoke at 4 a.m. every morning for seven months to write his most important work. He would write for five hours, then jog. Requires discipline and strength, he said. Writing and running, that is.

So at 4:27 a.m. today, unplanned, I awoke. Beckoned by the power of suggestion. I can explain it no other way.

I lag behind the author from Japan. Twenty-seven minutes and umpteen books to be exact. He’s accomplished. I’m but a lowly blogger. Unsure. Beginning.

The blackness of the morning yields itself to the task. A complement to the blank white of the screen, the darkness hangs in the air, and all is quiet.

Requires concentration, I read in the book. Uninterrupted stretches of lonely pounding out, writing and jogging. Words to page, feet to pavement.

Two and a half hours, a thousand words later, the sun is up and I’m going back to bed. No jogging for me. It’s Saturday after all.

Will I do this again? Wake up in the third watch and write? I can’t say. Strength can come at any hour.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 ESV

His Strength is Perfect, Steven Curtis Chapman.

10 thoughts on “The Power of Suggestion”

  1. I know I’m cynical, but as a Mommy, I never expect that kind of stuff of myself! I give so much of it during the day! But if you are a morning people than by all means go for it! I wonder how our dear Kelli is doing at her early morning writing these days….

    1. I used to be a morning person, before I had a baby. But I never planned this, Tiffany. Hence the title of the post :). And it hasn’t happened again since. I did get a lot accomplished that morning though. Something to consider…

  2. Julia Cameron writes of the power of simple walking as a powerful tool for writing and creativity. Hmmm, you folks are on to something!

  3. I love how zen this blog entry is. I’m inspired to wake up at the crack. Let’s see if that inspiration carries me on Monday to bring feet to pavement and words to “paper”. Thank you!

  4. My favorite time of day. All seems well with the world, the heavens are an explosion of stars, you spend very quiet time with Jesus and then you get to literally hear His creations wake to a new morning. Another gift from above.

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