"The moment when you first wake up in the morning is the most wonderful of the twenty-four hours. No matter how weary or dreary you may feel, you possess the certainty that, during the day that lies before you, absolutely anything may happen."
~Monica Baldwin
Ahhh...those first moments between sleeping and waking, where we are briefly suspended between worlds, in a state of consciousness that transcends the limited thinking of our ordinary minds. Our waking mind has not yet gone into gear with the to-do lists, the order of business for the day; the worries and concerns of yesterday are past and time itself seems to expand to infinity in this half dreamy state. Have you ever woken from a beautiful dream and as it begins to slip from your grasp, wish, oh please let me stay here a little longer!
How I love the early morning, those moments of peace and quiet before the world begins to bustle about. It's a lovely time for contemplation, journaling, meditation, yoga, recording and contemplating our nighttime dream adventures to mine them for the treasures they hold. I agree with those who believe that how we start our day, the thoughts we think, the attitude we hold upon waking and as we set about the day, sets the tone for the whole day. We may not have a lot of choice about what is happening in the world around us, but we do have a choice about how we respond, the consciousness that we choose to hold, the thoughts that we allow to take root in our minds.
What a miracle that we are given the opportunity for a new start with each new sunrise! Each day can be a new beginning. We can choose to discard old beliefs, adopt new more empowering ones, choose to forgive, let go, let God, let it be. We can make amends, make new friends, move in new directions, let the sun shine in. How we begin the day can make all the difference. Beginning with an attitude of gratitude, openness, curiosity and wonder and going about some sort of morning ritual consciously can have wonderful benefits.
I am very excited to have just discovered a book called Morning Rituals: How We Awaken, by Kimberly Call. The book offers simple practices inspired by ancient eastern and western traditions that take only a few moments in the morning, that help develop concentration, clarity, centeredness, vitality, and serenity. Sign me up for that! I'm looking forward to giving them a try.
Wishing you gentle and blissful awakenings!
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