Start Your Day More Gently!

The first half hour may be the most important time of your day. How you spend it may change your life.

Most of us find ourselves each morning in a scenario similar to the following: The alarm goes off with a less than pleasant sound. It takes a second or so before the noise reaches our consciousness. It then takes three to four seconds before we are halfway willing to open our eyes, just wide enough to catch a glimpse on the perpetrator. It feels, of course, far too early to get up. We hit the snooze button in a vague hope that this swift action delivers us from all evil of the day. It certainly does not. A few minutes later, the alarm goes off a second time with relentless precision. If we hit the snooze button again, we run the risk to make everything worse. And we know it.

Therefore we rush out of bed, do whatever we have to do in the bathroom, rush off to the closet to get dressed, and dash into the kitchen for coffee and cereal. If we share our living space with crying babies, moaning teenagers or furry pets, we tend to them as soon as a time gap of five seconds opens up. We do all this with a higher or lesser degree of resentment, tension in the muscles, shallow breathing, and - most of all - with deep unconsciousness.

In this mental and physical condition we leave home to drop off the kids and to rush to work. Utterly stressed out we arrive at the office.

We have successfully set the stage for another day of merciless busyness. We will eat the wrong stuff, get mad easily, and are unaware of the voice in our head that constantly urges us to do this or that quickly and that bombards us with "you should," "you ought to," and "why haven't you!"

Can it be otherwise?

Yes. Get up earlier, at least half an hour, and start your day gently.

How?

Here are a few suggestions:

Begin your day with

o Inspirational reading:

What about some poems by Rumi? According to Houston Smith, author of The Worlds' Religions, Rumi is "the most-read poet in America today." Coleman Barks, a poet himself, introduces him as one "of the world's great lovers of God's presence in humanity."

Reading poems is ideal for everyone who has only limited time.

o Inspirational listening:

Listen to relaxing music or to an audio program of your favorite spiritual teacher! Listening may require less mental activity and concentration than reading. This is an ideal start of the day for everybody who needs time in the morning to "arrive."

o Gentle yoga stretches:

Although most of us are stiffer in the morning, yoga will make you feel better. Be sure to let go of any competitiveness in your mind. Let your body tell you what it needs.

o Meditation:

If all of the above is already too much activity, just sit quietly for five to ten minutes and listen to your breath. Jack Kornfield, for example, has an excellent program for beginners.

o Autogenic Training:

Autogenic Training is a European mental self-relaxation technique so effective that is has been used by NASA, the American space agency. Visit my website to learn more.

o Journaling:

Journaling is very therapeutic. It helps you to gain insights and clarity. Don't worry about grammar and spelling while writing!

o Spending time outdoors:

Do you have a quiet patio, porch or garden? Watch the day break, listen to the morning songs of the birds, feel the cool air on your skin, and notice your sense of connection with creation grow!

You may need to experiment to find the best method that fits your personality.

Please, do not underestimate the importance of how you begin the day! Regardless of what you choose for a gentler start, you will connect to a deeper realm that lies beyond the necessities of daily life. This creates inner space. This inner spaciousness will allow you to maintain serenity and inner freedom. Not necessarily for the entire rest of the day. The effect of a gentler start may last one to two hours. This, however, will increase over time and with consistency. Of course, the alarm will still go off and its sound may still be unpleasant. Now, however, you have something to look forward to, namely half an hour just for yourself.

Monika Walter, a former chaplain and psychologist, teaches yoga, Autogenic Training, and relaxation in Southern New Mexico. She offers a Self-Study Program and an e-course for Autogenic Training on her website. Visit developserenity.com developserenity.com to learn more.

Copyright 2009 Monika Walter