We learned the hard way that how we used that first half hour or so that it can set the tone for the whole day. So we’re interested in how people we admire start their day. Mira Keras starts the day with her little girl GoGo making music with whatever is around. Pot lids and pineapples are favorites, but GoGo likes to sing as well.
Patti Smith’s ‘smile therapy’ is great and simple; it is also a pretty common chi gong practice:
“I just sit and physically make myself smile. Because sometimes it makes you laugh, and then you go, ‘All right.’”
We steer clear of the usual Morning Routine Lists on productivity sites that tell us to get up earlier, get cracking, make lists, jog. DO. We prefer to get our bearings and let the day start with just…being for a while, counting a few blessings, “sweeping the dust from our heart” (a fine practice we learned from a friend), maybe reading or looking at something uplifting, wise, mindshifting. We never fail to find it in The Essential Rumi
Today, like every other day, we wake up empty
and frightened. Don’t open the door to the study
and begin reading. Take down a musical instrument.
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.
There’s a morning ritual!
What’s yours?
I start my day by reading Improvised Life Daily Dose. I read it on my tablet while still in bed. It’s a really nice way to start the day. Shortly after that I go around the house opening the curtains. I like letting the light in and having a quick look out each window, seeing the back yard, front yard, side yards. See what the weather is. Usually I see some birds, a squirrel, animal tracks in the snow. Peaceful, gentle signs of life.
Gee, I do the same with curtains in the morning. I hadn’t thought of it as the ritual it surely is. (Sometimes I open the curtain by the bed in the middle of the night to see what stars are gliding by. This winter I learned to recognize the Winter Hexagon – beautiful.)
Write your dreams down . Connect . Hear the birds sing . Breathe in fresh air. Hear the cat purr . ..
Looking at the sky + cup of coffee is a favorite .
Improvised Life a given, also before turning computer off sometimes . Also turning everything off , not doing the usual , not checking ‘the news’ , not thinking the same thoughts . Not getting up …
Off to browse the Covetton House Winter Line ,
sahana
Well, when I deconstruct my early morning ritual, it does include going to the terrace door and looking out at the morning, changes that have occurred in the park due to weather or light, birds flying around… After sleep, things restart…
I have a beloved morning tea ritual that eases me into my day… when I neglect it, I feel “off”… My morning meditation “Shape”, published last week, is in the link. Ritual forms our days, I morning rituals are the best. Thanks for curating this lovely space!