Imagine a day that from the moment you wake up in the morning until you close your eyes at night it is filled with everything you normally experience each and every day; light, family, laughter, stress, tension, work, play, food, friends, shock, knowing, confusion, finances, spirituality, exercise, darkness...only this day you wake up smiling inside and out, and you go to sleep at night smiling inside and out.  You may be tired from all the activity, but you are not weary, exhausted or down.

Imagine taking everything that comes your way and knowing what to do with it, or at least knowing that it is here and not allowing it to rule your life. (The easy moments as well as the more challenging ones!)  

I will let you in on a secret: start you day off right and every moment of each day will be spent in love, joy and gratitude; challenges and all.  

How do you start your day off right?  By giving the first moments of your day to YOU.  You and that which is larger than yourself. 

Wake each morning, allowing yourself a set amount of time, preferably enough time for a cup of water with fresh lemon and then your tea or coffee and then time for working your body, mind and spirit.  

For me, I need 1 1/2 hours.  For others, less and for others more! 

As an example, this is my morning routine: I wake up, have a tall glass of water with fresh lemon juice, a quick cool shower and then enjoy my warm chai.  That is 20 minutes so far.  Then I spend 10 minutes tuning in to myself and that which is larger than myself. (God, God-Consciousness, the Universe, whatever you call it).  I sit cross legged, hands in prayer pose, gently close my eyes and begin with words of gratitude.  I then envision what I want or need in my life (as detailed as possible ) and I do not allow myself to think small; I think BIG!   Then I practice kundalini yoga for 30 - 50 minutes. 

When I start my day with my own time, anything can happen and I I can handle it with grace and loving-kindness.  I do not spend ANY time during the day thinking "When am I going to get some time to myself?  When am I going to do my practice?  When am I going to...".  

I challenge you to try it on for a week.  Set your alarm an hour earlier or more. (and for those of you thinking you couldn't possibly lose any precious sleep time believe me when I say
you will be more energized!  You'll spend less time using up your body's energies worrying and stressing so you can burn that energy on more important activities!)   Try it. 

If you do not know what to do for yourself during that time then here is a suggestion for starters:  
-wake up and drink a tall glass of cool water with 1/2 lemon squeezed into it.
-have a cool or lukewarm shower (AWESOME way to wake up)
-drink 1 cup of warm tea (or coffee)
-sit comfortably and meditate on gratitude and then goals in your life.
-spend 20 minutes practicing yoga, or stretches, sit-ups, push-ups, squats, crunches...anything you are familiar with that works your body.
-lay out on your back for at least 5 minutes and relax.  close your eyes and breathe long and deep.
-get up slowly, go to the bathroom and splash your face with cold water; blot dry and then go have your second cup of tea. 
-your day will now be yours!  

Be the light!
Kirsten