I am only a morning person when I have to be.

In the early hours of the day, when the world is still shrouded in darkness, there is a quiet truth that many of us struggle to embrace. Chase Elliott, a modern hero of speed and precision, speaks to this truth with a candid simplicity when he says, "I am only a morning person when I have to be." In these words, there lies a recognition of the delicate balance between duty and desire—the tension between what the world requires of us and what our hearts long for in the stillness of dawn. Morning, that time of day often associated with productivity and action, does not come naturally to all, and for many, the struggle to rise early is not one of laziness, but of the body and soul seeking their own rhythm.

In ancient times, the great warriors and thinkers were often at odds with the same conflict—whether to rise at the crack of dawn to begin their work or to stay in the quiet comfort of rest. Homer’s Achilles, the mighty warrior of the Iliad, was a man whose strength lay not only in his battle prowess, but in his understanding of his own needs. Even the greatest of warriors must rest, for no one, not even Achilles, can give their best if their spirit is not nurtured. The early morning, while sacred to some, can be a time of rest and reflection for others. The lesson is clear: the body must be respected, and it cannot perform at its highest capacity if it is forced into unnatural patterns.

Elliott’s words are a recognition of this balance. To be a morning person, as society often demands, is not a natural inclination for all. The modern world often exalts those who rise early, those who embrace the first light of day with zeal, as though early hours are the key to productivity and success. Yet, as Elliott humbly admits, this state of early rising is one that he adopts only when required—the moment when necessity calls for action. His words reflect the deep wisdom of the ancient Stoics, who taught that virtue lies not in blind adherence to external expectations, but in the conscious, mindful response to the needs of the moment.

Consider the example of Leonardo da Vinci, the great polymath whose work spanned from art to science, from anatomy to engineering. Da Vinci was known for his unconventional working habits, often choosing to work late into the night, rather than waking with the first rays of the sun. For him, creativity and productivity did not adhere to the rules of traditional schedules. He understood that true genius does not follow the clock; it follows the rhythm of inspiration. Elliott’s acknowledgment of the necessity to be a morning person "when I have to be" mirrors this idea—that the demands of life, whether they come through competition or work, will dictate when we must rise, but it is not for us to bend our bodies and minds to external forces unnecessarily.

The wisdom in Elliott’s words is one of conscious choice. To be a morning person is a decision, not an inherent quality. Life demands of us different things at different times, and sometimes, the soul needs rest, reflection, and quiet. In these moments, when we are not required to perform, the early morning should be respected as a time for rejuvenation, not a time to be forced into action. Just as the ancient kings would often retreat into solitude to reflect and recharge, so too must we recognize the value of rest and balance. To wake early is a privilege, not a necessity, unless the moment demands it.

The lesson here is one of balance—between duty and self-care. To rise early and to give our best is a noble pursuit, but it must be done with wisdom and awareness. Just as Chase Elliott understands the need to rise when required, we too must understand when to listen to the call of the morning and when to grant ourselves the peace of rest. Life, in its fullness, requires both effort and stillness, action and reflection. It is in this harmony that we find our true strength, just as the warriors of old found theirs in the balance between battle and respite.

So, let us not fall into the trap of rigid expectations, but instead embrace a rhythm that works for us, one that allows for productivity when needed and rest when called for. Recognize that the early morning is not always a time for action, but a time for thoughtful decision-making. When we need to rise, let us rise with purpose, and when we need to rest, let us rest with intention. Through this understanding, we can achieve greatness not through relentless action, but through the wise and thoughtful balance of life’s demands.