I'm not one of those people who wake up energized and ready to face the day. Unfortunately, my biological system doesn't seem to know that and it insists on waking up the minute the early morning light seeps in around the edges of my window-darkening shades. IT is energized while my mind is full of less-than-enlightening thoughts. It seems like there should be a way to use some kind of spiritual practice to open my soul to the day.
I've tried various things. For example, I used to say at bedtime: "God, let me sleep well, have happy dreams, and wake up joyful." Since I now have a "higher power" who's supposedly in charge of my life, I am loathe to ask for anything that specific. I feel compelled to accept whatever the higher power doles out even if it's insomnia and morning dreads. As I think about this, maybe that's not quite right. Surely, a higher power would want me to sleep well and wake up joyful? Maybe I should join that loving intent and go back to that bedtime ritual. Hmmm.
I've also tried energy exercises as soon as my feet hit the floor and saying the Serenity Prayer as soon as I'm conscious. Nothing seems to alter the discomfort and dread that a new day evokes. It has to do with living alone because when I have overnight visitors, I do wake up excited and ready to be with them. As I think about it, I always liked to see my ex-husband's face in the morning even when we were near the end of our marriage. I like to go to bed alone but really would like to crawl into someone else's bed when I first wake up.
So, what spiritual practice might ease me into the day? Here's my brainstorming list:
(1) Start singing!
(2) Fake laughing out loud until you really start laughing (a Buddhist practice, believe it or not).
(3) Breathe deeply and say the Serenity Prayer until you mean it.
Do any of you, my readers, have any ways that work for you? Please share them in the comments section. I'm desperate!
Here's what actually does happen and it's not spiritual. I wake up and briefly hate the light coming in around the shades. My stomach growls and I have to go to the bathroom. I stall for awhile and then grudgingly surrender to urinary needs. I crawl back in bed and turn away from the window. I think about whatever is worrying me and eventually I drift off to sleep again. I wake and go through the same process probably 3 times before I'm willing to get up.
Notice the theme of light juxtaposed with words like hate and grudging. I was at a spiritual workshop yesterday and at the end, ironically, I drew the card that said "light." Among other wise and wonderful things, the reading that went with it said, "lighten up!" It said to reduce the clutter around me and in me including reducing negative thoughts. I'm quite sure that hating the morning light falls into the category of negative thoughts. More than that, if "light" is my spiritual mantra for this part of my life, then that light that I'm hating is my teacher, is a grace, is a gift from the universe. I need to find a way not to spit on a spiritual gift.
Here's what I'm going to do: Post a sign on the window that says--"Welcome Light." Then, I'm going to raise the shades and open the curtains. Well, maybe I'm not going to do that second thing. I'll start with the sign and see what happens.
Other experiences and ideas out there? Roxie
I've tried various things. For example, I used to say at bedtime: "God, let me sleep well, have happy dreams, and wake up joyful." Since I now have a "higher power" who's supposedly in charge of my life, I am loathe to ask for anything that specific. I feel compelled to accept whatever the higher power doles out even if it's insomnia and morning dreads. As I think about this, maybe that's not quite right. Surely, a higher power would want me to sleep well and wake up joyful? Maybe I should join that loving intent and go back to that bedtime ritual. Hmmm.
I've also tried energy exercises as soon as my feet hit the floor and saying the Serenity Prayer as soon as I'm conscious. Nothing seems to alter the discomfort and dread that a new day evokes. It has to do with living alone because when I have overnight visitors, I do wake up excited and ready to be with them. As I think about it, I always liked to see my ex-husband's face in the morning even when we were near the end of our marriage. I like to go to bed alone but really would like to crawl into someone else's bed when I first wake up.
So, what spiritual practice might ease me into the day? Here's my brainstorming list:
(1) Start singing!
(2) Fake laughing out loud until you really start laughing (a Buddhist practice, believe it or not).
(3) Breathe deeply and say the Serenity Prayer until you mean it.
Do any of you, my readers, have any ways that work for you? Please share them in the comments section. I'm desperate!
Here's what actually does happen and it's not spiritual. I wake up and briefly hate the light coming in around the shades. My stomach growls and I have to go to the bathroom. I stall for awhile and then grudgingly surrender to urinary needs. I crawl back in bed and turn away from the window. I think about whatever is worrying me and eventually I drift off to sleep again. I wake and go through the same process probably 3 times before I'm willing to get up.
Notice the theme of light juxtaposed with words like hate and grudging. I was at a spiritual workshop yesterday and at the end, ironically, I drew the card that said "light." Among other wise and wonderful things, the reading that went with it said, "lighten up!" It said to reduce the clutter around me and in me including reducing negative thoughts. I'm quite sure that hating the morning light falls into the category of negative thoughts. More than that, if "light" is my spiritual mantra for this part of my life, then that light that I'm hating is my teacher, is a grace, is a gift from the universe. I need to find a way not to spit on a spiritual gift.
Here's what I'm going to do: Post a sign on the window that says--"Welcome Light." Then, I'm going to raise the shades and open the curtains. Well, maybe I'm not going to do that second thing. I'll start with the sign and see what happens.
Other experiences and ideas out there? Roxie
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