A new year is upon us. It’s a time to reflect on the past year and figure out what we want to change. Ultimately we are our own worst critics and critiquing yourself can become an overwhelming and painful experience. If I sat down and had to think of what I want to change about myself, I would come up with a laundry list of things and get nowhere with it.
Who’s leading the charge when reflecting on this stuff though? Our thinking mind, the human mind is the most powerful force we will ever face in our life. It can completely dictate how we live life and how we go through each day. If you’re anything like me, your mind can be a very ugly place. I tell myself things in my own head that I would not even say to my worst enemy.
Garbage Head
Give me some time to myself and inevitably my mind will either begin to tell me everything that is wrong with me or create anxiety about anything coming up in the future. Mornings tend to be the worst for most people. I used to wake up just in time to shower and then leave for work. I would have to rush to get to work on time!
I would end up leaving the house with what I like to call, ‘garbage head’. I found that the morning is a perfect time to sit down, get still, and reflect on the day in a positive manner before I head out into the real world. When I don’t do it, my head is filled with all sorts of terrible thoughts and fears and I just wear those things all day which results in an exhausting and stressful day. Life is no good with garbage head.
Morning Practices
I knew before I could change anything I had to change the way I think. A few months ago I made the decision to start waking up earlier before work. Much earlier, 2 hours before work! The first week or so was difficult but I almost instantly saw good results. Not only was I waking up earlier, but I was also filling up the time before work with very productive practices. Some of the most important ones have been:
- Meditation – Before anything else in the morning, I will sit down at my dining room table, put on some calm music (usually the same song for me) and get my mind quiet. It never stays quiet, which is the ultimate goal, but getting still and trying to quiet my mind gives me an opportunity to introduce positivity into my day. I will either go over things I am grateful for while in meditation or just feed myself some positive affirmations. I have been sober for 5 years and spirituality is vital to me staying sober. Meditation has elevated to my spirituality in ways I could never imagine.
- Journaling – Pen to paper has an extraordinary power to it. Every morning after meditation I will sit for a few minutes and write whatever I’m inspired to write. It’s always different but I always make it positive and kind. Gratitude lists, aspirations, something I find funny, just anything that can make me smile. Writing has an impact on our day.
- Visualization – Where do you want to be in 5 years? There is a picture you have of yourself when I ask that question. Whatever that picture is, keep it in mind and literally picture it in your head every day. There is major research behind visualization and it definitely has a mysterious power in getting you where you want to be.
Our actions are all born out of thought. If you are living in a negative headspace then chances are your actions aren’t benefiting you nearly as much if you were to flip your mindset to something positive. We are all uniquely different and I am sharing my practices merely to give everyone an idea of what a morning ritual can look like.
Above anything else, make sure that before you walk out of the door in the morning, you instill some positivity into your body, mind, and soul.
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Guest Author Bio
Daniel Wittler
Daniel Wittler is a writer in recovery from South Florida. Daniel believes that absolutely anyone can get sober provided they are ready to take action.
Great summary… in loving detail: best wishes Daniel, and thanks!
Fred P