Begin Your Day with a Plan
Each day is a new day to nourish your being and create a life that aligns with your values. Whether you are cultivating a path of fulfillment or find yourself stuck in a repetitive cycle of stagnation, it all starts with how you begin your day.
Being intentional with your days begins with developing a morning practice. Life looks different for everyone, so it is important to customize your mornings to suit your circumstances. We are more than just flesh and bones, so nourishing our inner beings before going out into the world is necessary. While we are intentional about showering, brushing our teeth, and dressing our best, the act of sitting with ourselves to nurture the unseen part of us is often left out.
We each have various spiritual beliefs and understandings, so there is no one-size-fits-all approach. It is up to you to build your practice based on your specific needs. Some may start their morning with gratitude, giving thanks for their lives and the big and small blessings they are able to enjoy. Others may begin their day in meditation, visualizing themselves in perfect health, peace, and harmony. Some may focus on planning their day, reflecting on their goals and values, areas for growth, and things they aim to accomplish. Whatever the practice, having morning rituals is important to move forward with intention.
The habit of simply getting out of bed, dressing, and running out of the house is limiting. Understand that you are the designer of your life, and it is up to you to create a life that your person can be proud of. I recently attended a lecture facilitated by Professor Bayyinah Bello, where she discussed the importance of all behavior being centered around one or all of these values:
Freedom
Health/Justice (understanding that health cannot exist without justice)
Prosperity (there is no prosperity without the collective)
Power (feeling empowered within oneself).
These values can serve as a catalyst for developing your morning rituals and for the way you move about the world. Check in with yourself and see how your practice aligns with these values. Begin by making subtle changes to your morning routine as you establish the habit. Practice consistently for 21 days and observe how your life transforms, how your sense of self improves, and take pride in your progress. Each step forward is a celebration of your commitment to creating a life aligned with your purpose.
