Morning Ritual

Life can be challenging, busy, and stressful. Many of us are running from one activity to another. Work, family, daily activities, and children can keep us busy. Maybe you feel like you are rushing from one thing to another and feeling overwhelmed. I challenge each of you to begin scheduling time for yourself at the beginning of each day. This is a time for you to connect with yourself, to spend time with God, and to prepare yourself to face your day. Why do I tell you this? I'm sharing this because I know that this is real and valuable. For so many years, I was the one reaching for my snooze button over and over again each morning, not anxious to get out of bed. I’d wake up in enough time to prepare for work and have my worship. I'd arrive to work on time, but often when I got to work I was feeling unready to handle the demands of my day. My life felt like it was not quite put together. I was there and doing my job, but I hadn’t taken time to prepare myself for my day. Recently, my coach challenged me to rethink my morning ritual. She gave me ideas to help me. She told me that if I solidified my morning routine with the things that I need to connect to myself, to calm myself, to fill my needs, and to prepare me for my day, then everything else that was out of control in my life would fall into place. A few days later, I listened to a podcast about someone’s morning ritual. Suddenly, I knew exactly what I needed to do. I went to bed early that night knowing that this was the first step. My morning routine began with preparation the night before. I set my alarm for earlier than normal, knowing the things I wanted to place into my morning routine. That morning, I climbed out of bed on the right side of my bed. I was eager to begin my day. First, I made my bed. Then I got dressed and listened to my worship while I got ready. Afterward, I prepared my breakfast, my tea, and I packed my lunch. After this, I sat down to do my gratitude journaling. This filled my mind with the many things I am thankful for. Then I sat down to play the piano and enjoy a few minutes of peace before heading off to work. During my drive to work, I prayed. Every single piece of what I needed to do to prepare me for my day was accomplished. I walked into work feeling ready and eager to face my day. Suddenly, everything that was off in my life began to shift. Things began to fall into place. I felt at peace.

I challenge each of you to find morning rituals that work for you. How can you chisel out a way to prepare yourself for your day? It is super important that each of us find the things that work for us. My prayer for each of you is that God will lead you and guide you. May He help you develop a morning and evening routine that works for you.