It is practically inevitable that the demands of our culture begin to reassert themselves the moment we awaken in the morning. (They were probably in our dreams as well, although perhaps disguised.) Our first thoughts, feelings and behaviors, unless we do something about it, reflect our usual wake up process, as opposed to what could be a sweeter, gentler, gradual entry into a new day, still filled with great possibility.
We either choose to resume our roles as drones in a culture for which we prioritize performance and appearance to achieve and maintain a fake normality, or we can – being our more authentic selves – ease gently and positively into each sun-given new morning, each fresh opportunity to live well. Our first thoughts, if we’re following that externally driven script, go to where we are in our life’s responsibilities and projects. We feel called by our obligations, whose insistent voices we are an already hear quite well. So, the stress begins very quickly. We move, moments after becoming conscious, to what we have to do, much of which makes us grimace, rather than smile.
What better time is there to set an intention than at the very beginning of the day? You’re lying there, just emerging from the sleep initiated on a day that’s now eternally a part of the past. As you lie there in those first conscious moments, the new day is still completely open to you. Just like a coach’s most important information to his team is generally delivered at the beginning of a game, our first thoughts of the day are critical. They set your intention, consciously or not.
If we begin with thoughts and feelings like gratitude and compassion to ourselves and others, it does a few things. First it establishes a more autonomous relationship with ourselves. When we choose this positive beginning, we reject the external demands and reinforce what really matters to us. It also provides us with a soft, gentle landing into a new day that will no doubt have many challenges for us. Additionally, it makes further grateful and compassionate moments throughout the day more likely because we’ve set the tone. I believe, admittedly on the basis of my intuition, that when we start our days like that, we do better. It is essentially choosing to start with mindfulness.
