Good Morning: January 7 - 13

No resolutions, no promises to eat healthier, no gym memberships.  This year I want to live in the present moment.  My goal is to be mindful, not as a practice to master or the first item on my to-do list, but rather as a way of being in my body, in my relationships, and in the world.  It may be a lofty intention but well worth the effort.

To accomplish this goal, I am making a shift in my morning routines in order to create new habits.

1. When I first open my eyes, as I take the first conscious breath, and touch the floor, I will remember to say thank you for the gift of the new day. May gratitude be my first act upon waking.
   

2. When I brush my teeth and wash my face, instead of automatically running through my to-do list for the day ahead, I will pay attention to my body here and now. I will notice the water on my skin. May I begin the day by embracing and connecting to my body.
   

3. I will spend a few minutes in silence. Call it meditation, call it prayer, call it quiet time. I will listen to the stillness of my heart. May I always intuit something bigger than myself with deep reverence. Before I start doing, I will remember to be.

I don’t expect to do all three of these perfectly every day but I intend to try.

Practice

Pick one and give it a try. Or try each on three different days. Stick with whatever resonates. Create a new ritual. I’ve heard it said it takes 21 days to establish a new habit. Commit.