How do you start your day to set it up for a great day? - Al-Anon Family Group

Breakingfree · ~*Service Worker*~

How do you start your day to set it up for a great day?

Jerry F · ~*Service Worker*~

I aim for in the middle...an OK day. If it comes out better I get the attitude of "SCORE"!! If it comes out less than OK...usually it isn't a fall off the cliff and I'm good with that. You are right...your arritude is your responsibility. ((((hugs)))) smile

wornoutmrsfixit · Senior Member

A little different perspectve here since I'm a night owl. I do my reading/praying & me time as I'm going to bed (and I skip the coffee). :)

ilovedogs · ~*Service Worker*~

Well, since I finally realized that I can start my day over at any time, I don't put pressure on myself to read or pray first thing in the AM. I keep a reader in my car (ODAAT) and I read in the parking lot of a store or even at a very long light, LOL.

As for starting my day, in general: I usually get up, look for the dog to see if he is accounted for, and then make a cup of tea. I sit down at my computer and I come here and a few other sites and sometimes I do my journaling and reading. But, what really kicks it off for me is that cup of green tea, a few quiet moments before everyone else gets up, and a few hugs and licks from the dog!

neshema2 · ~*Service Worker*~

Breakingfree wrote:
I know every minute is a do over if I take the opportunity and a bad moment does not make for a bad day, but I also know I can take some steps and use some tools to set things up to flow just how I want them to first thing and it kind of sets me up for success. So I wonder what is it in your morning or day that kicks off a good day for you all?

-- Edited by Breakingfree on Friday 2nd of August 2013 11:39:19 PM

Hey Breaking, I absolutely love your "I know every minute is a do over" and so can relate to the "easy, have time in am to relaxe" way of starting my day, rather then the cell phone alarm rudely waking me up and I let it go a few times, then rushin around, tripping over my own feet, nothing goes as smooth, etc. but when I see the coda crazies creeping up my life, I can STOP....breathe......agree w/me to begin again..... I like this even down to a MINUTE, we can do over.....thanks, lady....that was a NICE little wisdom for the day biggrin biggrin

tortuga · Senior Member

i find serenity in early morning, when the world is still sleeping. A nice calm meditation if i'm motivated, a fresh cup of coffee sometimes instead and sitting and breathing, then preparing a good breakfast and having a good inspirational read at hand, doing something for myself, and yes the gratitude attitude is a friendly companion.
this morning I went for yoga class, and I feel really energized to continue my day. Mornings are my best Self treat.
Thanks for the reminder and inspirations to all

have a good day ahead!

DavidG · ~*Service Worker*~

smile A good topic Bf... I am a lark and the other citizen living under this roof is an owl... aww so we kinda meet in the middle somewhere. I mostly use 'hope for today' but mostly use it when I am painted into a corner... blankstare I have been through the other Alanon readers about 12 years each.

On Saturdays I like to sleep in for an extra half hour... sleep is a precious commodity for me and the more the better. Its the last month of winter here so there's a bit more light each morning... and a little more to do. smile

A few years ago I decided to spend time with my Hp 24/7. Sometimes still I have to remind myself to do this. More and more I see my Hp in other people, and in myself... as I get more relaxed and more observant. I ask my Hp to open my eyes, open my ears, and open my heart. Hp does not need much of a hint to open my mouth@!

I must mention, of course reading postings like your's. It a great inspiration! aww

Thanks,

DavidG.

tiredtonite · Member

I like to be up earlier to have some me time. I lived alone for a lot of years and got use to that morning time by myself. I usually open the deck door first thing. This morning it's an unseasonable fifty five degrees and there's a cool morning breeze. There can be some really nice birds out there or my plants will sometimes have new buds or flowers. Going out there and tending to the plants early in the morning gives me time with my higher power and serenity. I like feeling the texture of the leaves, flowers and soil, the scent of the flowers and soil especially when wateriing them. It's encouraging and gratifying to see from week to week how robust the plants become from pruning the dead leaves and watering them. I think it's a good analogy for how we recover and regain our own life and it also reminds me of one my earliest good memories - spending time helping my grandma tend her garden. I notice these things so much more now that I'm not preoccupied with someone alcoholism. Being present in MY life - what a gift!

Last night at my f2f, people were lamenting about the cool weather were having. People were saying "ohhh, fall is coming!" They said it as if it were a looming threat. All the seasons feel like a gift to me now. I likely love the fall and all the seasons because I missed so many. Seasons would go by in the blink of an eye back when I was enmeshed in my exah disease. I didn't notice what color the leaves were. Who had time for that?! Not me. I didn't think either say about what the temperature might be outside. Life was about grabbing my enabling wallet and going out the door sometimes in cold weather, to the ER without a coat, running to fix the trouble. Important work ya know wink and still lots of it out there for anyone who wants it. I've retired from that now.

I also like to light candles first thing in the morning and come here to begin my day with a cup of coffee and recovery. My hp speaks to me through other people so I come here to keep recovering. Keeping my serenity all day can be a challenge on some days but if I remember to keep hp close all day, things go better for me.

Thanks for the topic. Thanks everyone for sharing about how you begin your day. Hugs! TT

-- Edited by tiredtonite on Saturday 3rd of August 2013 10:00:33 AM

Bettina · ~*Service Worker*~

Well lets see here, I have to scratch my dog trina's belly and hug my other dog Luca. I take the dogs for their walk. come back,

First things first, COFFEE(de caf), I sometimes read the "Upon awakening" in the big book,

I light the insense, light the candles, ring the bell, I begin my morning prayers(chant) for at least 20 minutes, sometimes more, if needed.

I then go into the kitchen and start breakfast for my Mom and me, Its usually noon by then, She usually gets up around 11:00, I get her medications ready. serve her coffee, I don't like eating anything before noon. Rests the digestion. Thats my morning ritual. ( I also do evening prayers & chant again at 7:00 pm) balances out the day.

and of course I come here to MIP......

-- Edited by Bettina on Saturday 3rd of August 2013 10:10:38 AM

-- Edited by Bettina on Saturday 3rd of August 2013 10:11:43 AM

SaRw · Member

Great topic! All of my great days start with a morning run. Greatest anti-anxiety medicine in the world! On the days that I can't start with a run, I end with a run and that sets up the next day to be a great day.

hotrod · ~*Service Worker*~

smile Hi BF

I read the Courage to Change, the ODAT, visit MIP, speak to 2 of my sponsees and do 1/2 hour of Yoga and 1/2 hour of exercise and then I a m good to go.

Good Topic

yanksfan51 · ~*Service Worker*~

Great topic BF! I have turned into a morning person as well--I usually read ODAT for the day, have the morning coffee, then a run. I read somewhere that this runner would focus a prayer on a person for a mile when the running got tough, so I have been trying to that as well, it's a nice meditative way to get the run going, then I will say some traditional prayers in my head while running as well.

Important to get the day off to a positive start, but if I wake up and it feels like one of 'those' days, I will literally talk myself through some chores (/now I will put a load of laundry in the wash, next I will hang it on the clothesline, now I will make the bed, etc). It sounds silly but if I am really struggling it helps.

YF

slogan_jim · Senior Member

I truly practice the notion of 'let go and let god.'

I take the commuter train in to work and my house is within walking distance of the station. I take the path along the ravine to get there and you can hear the water flowing through the ravine going toward the lake, especially if it's been raining. Very peaceful and serene.

I starts every morning with a prayer. 'God, I want to thank you for everything you have given me. I am truly grateful and I know that together we can accomplish great things. I know we will continue to accomplish great things.'

I find it really puts things in perspective for me.

Cathyinaz · ~*Service Worker*~

I'm up early around 4am. Get my coffee and take a minute to read some posts on MIP. Get ready for work and off between 5 and 5:30. On my way to work is when I do my morning prayers and asking my HP for serenity and a good day at work. I read ODAT first thing before I start my job.

It's in the evenings is when I light my candles and do my prayers for my son and others in the grips of this terrible disease. I journal and do a little more reading.

I have to be honest I haven't been do this lately but I am on board again because you can't ever give up your recovery.

Overcome · Senior Member

Thanks for such a great topic Breakingfree! Since I care for my 90 year old mother who has moderate to late Alzheimer's, I practice the "I can start my day over at any time during the 24 hour day." This is literally true for me because mom now has no concept of time, and I have to "go with the flow"... live and let live, and ask myself over and over "How important is it that she know it's 5 a.m. or 5 p.m.? I try to enjoy every minute that I get with her, because I know each day could be my last.

Today our day started at 1 a.m. (Saturday). Mom was up and fully dressed and ready to roll! LOL This rarely happens, but when it does I usually let her come to the table and have a cup of chamomile tea (to calm her) and say (because she's already forgot that she just got up), "Time to go to bed!" And usually she goes and I get to finish my sleep. Today this worked and I slept till about 6 a.m.

Once up I fix myself some coffee, do some morning meditations (sometimes this even involves spiritual stuff I post on facebook). After morning meditations and prayers, I have breakfast. If it's a school day, I take my daughter to school around 730 am. and am back home by 8 a.m. (9 a.m. E.S.T.) and go to the chat/room meeting here at MIP. That usually takes me to 9:30 a.m. my time and I get mom up for her breakfast. Mom is usually back down by 10:30 for another nap and I do household chores and start my day.

grateful2be · ~*Service Worker*~

Hi, BF. I like to awaken. Brew coffee. Sit in a corner of what I call my "prayer couch," and simply look out my picture window while my cat that doesn't sleep with me walks over me several times, kneads my robe multiple times, begs to be stroked, then settles down next to me on "her side" of my prayer corner. I make different choices for Step 11 after my cat settles down to include readings, prayer, meditation website, writing, and MIP. I sometimes ask for guidance on my day and write what comes to me on a piece of paper to take with me for the day. When the routine doesn't move me interiorly, I make changes that might include a walk, a back yard sit, or a simple shower that is warm, soothing and long. I always look outside from garage into the backyard or from my dining room window - no matter what other awakening routine I follow. I like to see the pine and silver maple trees, the quiet grasses, rabbits, squirrels and birds all undisturbed in their being what they are and doing what they do. When there is snow on the ground, I like to see the unmarred blanket of snowflakes.

The material presented here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method to exchange information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal level.