Things to do in the morning

[Worn]

As I wake up and prepare for my day I'm going to try to just start my morning better so my day goes better.  So I'm gonna try to do the following...

-Find me.  Locate the solid part that is me.  Think about who I am, my strengths, how I handle situations that may come up in the day.  Visualizing positive ways to do that.
-Find my center.  Know that this is a great place of strength for me.  Feel its strength.  Breathe its strength into the rest of my body. 
-Find and acknowledge the negative feelings in my body.  Know that they are there, that it is ok for them to be there, that they do not affect my center, and that they are free to go if they choose. 
-Find my balance.  Become the 'adult' again as I prepare for the world. 
-And lastly, actually remember to do all this stuff!

Anybody else have ways to start the morning right?  Worn

[sKePTiKal]

I do the first one on your list, Worn. Usually takes 2-3 cups of coffee to satisfy me that I'm fully awake! 

And I let the thoughts bubble up, too - the stream of consciousness crap about to-do lists, things I'm worried about, want to do or accomplish - without getting caught up in them. I just acknowledge that they're there; I've heard them; but I get to choose how much and which ones I'm going to address that day. World won't stop turning if I don't get to some of them, for awhile!

[Sealynx]

I do something very similar. I think we've had to resort of a kind of daily spiritual practice...whether we wanted one or not!!

[Portia]

Realise I didn't die in my sleep (this is neither good or bad but neutral).
Realise my partner didn't die in his sleep.
Think about any dreams.
Observe thoughts.
Examine plants outside closely (they're doing a lot right now).

[gratitude28]

I try to be on autopilot until the coffee hits my system. Otherwise I start stressing over what needs to be done and how I will accomplish everything. So... no thinking until my head is clear. This actually really helps me have a solid morning. The rest of the morning is good because I spend it with my kids and husband. I like my mornings now. They are a good part of my day.

[Hopalong]

A LOT of protein for breakfast, in my dragon blender, like:

*2 scoops vanilla whey/soy protein powder
*nearly a cup frozen blueberries
*about a third of a cup frozen mango/strawberries or such
*about a tbsp. fresh-ground flaxseed (I use a coffee bean grinder but you can buy it milled if you get *small amounts, just keep it in the fridge)
*a cup of filtered water

Changes my entire day.
Kid you not.

xo
Hops

[lighter]

Spend quiet time thinking about what I want to accomplish during my day.

Visualize the steps I must take.

This keeps my thoughts from bouncing around, like an unrestrained monkey jumping from branch to brach, throughout the day.

Mo2

[sKePTiKal]

I still make "to-do" lists (sometimes) in the morning - putting the things that are important to ME to do on it. To keep myself from "piling on" the to-do's... I use a 2x2 post it note. Sure, sometimes I write small trying to cram more stuff onto it! But I have to be able to read it - there is a limit!  

I can carry the post it around with me - crossing off the things I did do (patting myself on the back time) - and it helps me focus, stay on track throughout the day; helps me avoid distraction and procrastination.

These days, I find my brain can only remember 3 things at any one time... because there is so much going on and so many more people in it - and I get pulled in the direction of doing things with others (their to-do list). The post-it helps remind me to take care of "me" things. Lot of times - the list makes absolutely no sense at all to anyone but me! Like it's in code - and it IS - it's stuff I want to/need to remember to do for ME. Like breathe, you know?  LOL!!!!