I’ve filled in on the Morning Show at work a couple of times in the past week. Actually, I did it Thursday, Friday and again today. There is a distinct possibility that I’ll be doing it Thursday as well.
It was not an easy thing for me. I am such a creature of habit. I have routine. Structure. It’s not that I can’t function without them, but, they become old hat for you. You don’t necessarily acknowledge them. But there is certainly a comfort found in having them there.
The biggest challenge for me has been the complete schedule reversal. Currently working evening shifts during the week, I find myself on the air from 7p – 12a. So to all of the sudden flip and work from 5:30a – 10a has not been easy. I have a sleeping disorder. I need to have consistency in my sleep or I’m basically screwed. So filling in on the Morning Show wasn’t easy.
I’ve learned over the past couple days that I am still able to perform on limited sleep. I’ve also learned that the moment I turn the mic off after my last break, my body pretty much shuts down. All unnecessary functions resign, and I’m left with limited capacity. Basically… just enough to safely drive home.
Despite this experience virtually turning my world upside down for a few days, I must admit, I’ve enjoyed it. I used to be a Morning Man a couple of years ago. I had forgot what it felt like. You are responsible for waking up a city. That is no small task. How you greet each person as they start their day could have a profound effect on how they greet their day. After all, as the Morning Man, you could quite possibly be the first voice heard as the sun slowly appears over the horizon.
What an honor. What a privilege. With a word I can bring a laugh. With a song I can bring a smile. Like a friend I can bring them up to speed on the events of the day. I can offer the promise of sunshine, the concerned warning of snow covered roads, and the highlights of all that has taken place in their slumber. It’s like being a member of an extended family. I’m there for breakfast, for that first coffee. It’s a great feeling to be able to contribute to the day to day lives of so many. My only prayer is that I’m able to do it well, and bring a positive start to each turning page of the calender.
I must admit, however, that 3:30a is not my favorite time. In fact, as the hands pass the 24 hours of the clock, it ranks somewhere in the bottom of my most celebrated hours. This is about the time I rise. After all, if you’re going to wake up a city, you need to be up and in place yourself before them!
Just when I start to feel displeasure for that early morning wake up call though, something happens. When I walk out the door of my building and head to my truck, I am greeted with a confidence that I suspect can only be found when breathing the pre-dawn air.
The world in which I live, for the most part, is still nestled in their beds when I leave for work. The sun itself hasn’t even begun to rise. In that transition between the final twinkles of a night sky, and the bold glow that kisses the horizon with the commencement of a new day, there is a serenity. It’s in that calm and peaceful twilight that I find the assurance I need to carry on with the task at hand.
As I drive to work on the lonely, black roads, I feel like I own all that I see. This is my city, my county, my territory. Rarely do I even see another vehicle on my journey. And why would I? For I have not yet stirred them from their rest. When I arrive at work, take my seat in the studio, and crack that mic for the first time, I will bring it all to life.
The power of that drive in the sea of darkness is not about ego though. In fact, it’s quite the contrary. It’s about pride! It’s about preparation. It’s about building confidence for the great responsibility that awaits me. This morning, even if it’s only temporary, I will help you begin your day. That makes me feel great about being me. When I bid you good morning, just know that I truly mean it!
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