A how to guide for starting your morning in a positive way!

My grandparents were farmers who woke before dawn to work the fields.  Whatever gene that is, I inherited, not that I’m out tilling the soil.  I wake up early, really early, and happy.  When Wayne and I were first married he used to grumble, “Do you have to shine so bright in the mornings?”

“Yup.”  I do and I immediately tear into my day with gusto.

There are a few things that really help get my day off to a positive start.

First things first.  Coffee. When you read the mugs and shirts that say, “But first, coffee” it is the truth! Enjoying hot coffee while thinking about what is to come with my day really gets me off to a good start.

I start my day with my ‘alone time’.  I’m not really alone, as this is the part of my day that I spend with God, centering myself.  I begin by reading a series of devotionals and finish with my Bible.  I’ve read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation each year for probably the last 20 years.  I give my day to God, and set my schedule for the day.

Mapping out a plan for my day.

I’m a great list maker and I open my planner and make a list of what I hope to accomplish that day.  Each Monday, I set weekly goals and check to see if I’m on target.  My list might include 1.  Writing goals.  2.  Exercise goals or steps for each day.  3.  Working on a knitting project.  4.  Something extra (this generally means something above and beyond the norm like sorting out a drawer, connecting with a friend.)

Taking my time to Journal.

From the time I learned how to write I’ve kept journals.  I still have my journal from high school and the early years of my marriage and writing career.  I have three distinct journals.  My day to day journal and yes, I write in it every day.  My Gratitude Journal.  Listing five things for which I’m grateful—that’s a great way to start my day on a positive note.  And lastly my Prayer Journal.  Having a written list of my prayers is a great way to keep track of God’s faithfulness.  Whenever a prayer is answered I mark it with a star so that when I’m discouraged or feeling blue, I can open my prayer journal and be reminded that God does indeed answer prayer.  I’m fairly organized when it comes to prayer.  Mondays I pray for our oldest daughter and her family. Tuesdays belong to Adele and her family.  Wednesdays are for friends and my office staff. Thursday is for Ted and his family and Fridays are for our son Dale’s wife and two sons.  Saturdays are for Wayne and me.  And Sunday is a day of rest.

So friends, that is my morning routine. If you create a morning routine that you stick to and devote your mind and time to starting each day in a positive way, big exciting things will happen and you will be amazed at what you can accomplish.