Morning Meditations: The Hardest Part
It’s the beginning of the year and what a time to be alive.
Though I wrote out a list of goals and accomplishments for the year, one of the most important resolutions on my list are to focus on my energy and discipline. Those two things in my opinion are the fuel and framework that are required to accomplish what ever it is that you need to accomplish.
My father has a great saying he recently told me, “The hardest part is waking up.” I loved it because it was a profound and simple way for someone at seventy six to describe how they tackle the first challenge we all have at a one point “waking up.”
Like most peoples parents, my dad says all types of things. Buy life insurance, be aware of habits, be selective about the woman you want to get serious with, use protection etc. I like to listen to everything he says, though I can’t say I apply every single thing. His saying on “waking up” hit me in a deep way.
I find the mornings to be the most critical yet fragile times of the day. Mornings are sacred and I strive to continually find ways to improve them as much as possible.
For my own sanity and to share with others, I wanted to write down some directives to follow.
Be kind to yourself, but be decisive.
The morning is one of the most sensitive times for your mind and body. As soon as you can, begin with being thankful for the fact that you are alive and awake. From there, do your best not to take that blessing for granted. Switch into decisive mode and tell your body in one way or another “ It’s time to get up lets go!”
Remember to breathe.
Often times we forget to consciously breathe which is different than just breathing by default. Conscious breathing with a focus on the breath and interaction with the body is key.
It’s never a few extra minutes.
As good as it feels to stay in bed and get those few extra “minutes” of sleep, we all know that isn’t true. That five minutes turns into twenty, that twenty turns into sixty and before you know it you’ve over slept.
“I just want a few extra minutes of sleep maybe the first lie you tell yourself in the morning.”
Meditate
Before I have had any coffee or eaten anything, I try to have a glass of water and meditate for at least five minutes in the morning. Its a simple commitment that took a minute to truly embrace, but Im so glad that I started doing it.
Fuck your Phone
Its pretty pathetic but I honestly struggle with fighting the need to pick up my phone in the morning to check my email and or social feeds. The truth is that I never feel good about it after I do it. Its a terrible habit that I need to really drop.
Morning Music
Setting the vibes right for my morning routine is vital. A major part of my routine is having a playlist that wakes up with me. Instrumental music, classical music, and jazz are my preferences for the earlier part of the morning before I move into lyrical arrangements.
Morning Affirmations
The morning can feel bewildering. I commonly find myself thinking where am I or who I am as if I had a brief moment of amnesia. Morning affirmations is a suggestion that someone share with me that have been really helpful. Every day I add to the list of affirmations and include something about myself to be able to reference. Amnesia solved.