5 Things That Start My Day

spiritual practices

In this post I’d love to share the 5 things that start my day. They are healthy habits that kickstart my day with the right intention.

For many years, I too lived life like most people do — on autopilot.

I got out of bed each morning, showered and dressed and ate and sent my daughter off to school before attending to my own work. Nothing terribly wrong with that. Except one thing.

I wasn’t being intentional. I wasn’t thinking about my life, my daily choices, what I gave my time to, why I did what I did.

It took me a long time to get this. We are three-part beings: body, mind, and spirit. Remembering this connection is the biggest difference between how I lived all those years and how I live now.

It didn’t happen overnight. It was not like flipping a switch and watching my life change. It took understanding, guidance, the willingness to commit to a new way — and sticking with it.

When my beloved Amma died in 2009, my life shattered into a million pieces. Everything I believed in, trusted in, and thought was true fell apart. It was a call for change.

When someone you love dearly dies, or ends a relationship, when you’re diagnosed with a terrifying illness or lose your job, you have a chance to look back at your life and think: How did I live? Then you look forward and think: How do I want to live now?

Speaking about my life, some of what was important back then no longer matters to me now. And some of what I didn’t know back then has become very meaningful.

Here are the 5 daily practices that shape my life today:

#1. Prayer of Gratitude. It’s the first thing I do as soon as I awaken. I lie in bed and give thanks for all the blessings in my life. I start with my bed and pillow, my family, my home, a good night’s rest and slowly work my way up. I give thanks for the work I do, everyone who supports me in doing my work, my breath, my health, my loved ones in spirit and on earth. I send gratitude for you every day.

#2. Mirrorwork. I stand in front of my bathroom mirror, look deeply into my eyes and say: “I love you. You’re doing the best you can. I know you’ll give all your work today your very best effort. I’m here to support you. I believe in you and am proud of you.” When we begin to affirm ourselves, we stop looking to others to make us feel good. Validation is our job, no one else’s.

#3. Warm water and lemon. The first beverage of my morning is a glass of warm water with the juice of half a lemon. This is a great liver cleanser and gets my body all ready to meet the day. It energizes me, recharges my body’s detox center, and clears away all the excess of the weekend eating.

#4. Meditation. I love my morning meditation. It could be anywhere from 15-45 minutes depending on what I have going on. But when I start my day by connecting with my Divine Source and surrender my day to that energy, I bless my day. It centers me, anchors me in my faith and reminds me that I simply need to do my best — and leave the rest to the universe.

#5. Fruit smoothie. My morning breakfast is a delicious smoothie that has fruits, nuts and seeds, nut milk and 2 tbsp. of my favorite protein powder, JuicePlus. I found this product two years ago and am a huge fan!

Ever since I’ve started to live my life like this, my days go way better than they ever did before.

• I feed my mind, body, and soul before I begin my day’s work.
• It keeps me centered and at peace.
• I focus like a ninja.
• I get more done in a shorter amount of time.
• I feel energetic and enthusiastic to meet my day.
• I go to bed feeling a wonderful sense of accomplishment for a day well lived.

My routine is right for me. It may not be right for you. But it’s important to think about how you start your day — and how you want to change it, if it’s not working for you.

If you’d like to shake up your morning routine, I can help you develop a routine you’ll love. Click here if you’d like to book a 60-minute Single Session.