Get up. Rush to get ready for work. Yell at the kids to get ready for school. Go to a stressful day at work. Take kids to practice. Fit in appointments. Make dinner. Eat dinner. Go to meetings. Pick up kids. Get ready for bed… then get ready to do it all again.
I lived this kind of hectic lifestyle for years and years and years. And quite frankly, it was sucking the joy of living RIGHT OUT OF ME.
Over a year ago, my best friend shared a strategy of having “miracle mornings” before her children woke up; giving her some quiet time and peace to reflect on the day ahead before being thrown in head first.
I was instantly intrigued.
You see, most mornings I found myself absolutely DREADING my alarm clock. I would hit “snooze” several more times than reasonably appropriate, and then I’d find myself rushing to get ready, arguing with my children, and ultimately starting my day on a big, bad note.
When I started partaking in miracle mornings, I woke at least a half an hour before I needed to get ready for the day. I came downstairs to leisurely enjoy a cup of coffee while petting my dogs; finding peace in the solace of an early hour. Through meditation or prayer, I would give thanks for the luxuries I so often overlooked: a warm, cozy and comfortable home; healthy family members; an abundance of good friends; a welcoming community.
The miracle mornings felt so darn good, that pretty soon I didn’t even WANT to hit snooze. I couldn’t WAIT to enjoy the quiet stillness of morning with a warm beverage in my hand and a hound in my lap.
Through some of the most challenging times in my career, miracle mornings saved me. They forced me to slow down and pay attention in a fast-paced and digitally distracting world. They provided time for me to count my blessings- something that I had previously forgotten to do in my hectic and stress-filled state.
Once my miracle mornings started making such a profound impact on my life, I took my joy of living a step further.
You see, I have always been known as a YES-girl. If the library board needed someone to step up and fill in as president, I said “sure!” If the band parents’ association needed someone to serve dinners during band camp, I said “count me in!” If my church asked me to serve as education chairperson, I willingly accepted.
But I began to notice… that the busier my afternoons and evenings became, the more anxious I felt. The more I said “yes” to all out those outside commitments, the less time I had to make strong, healthy relationships with my husband, my family, and my friends.
So, I started saying “no.”
It was something I eased in to. And at first, the guilt was a bit overwhelming.
But the more I said no, the happier I became. I began building better relationships within my family, and participating more in social outings with my friends. These relationships made me feel so darn good, that I started to lose that guilty feeling when my heart told me to say “no.”
This week, I encourage you to slow down and “smell the roses.” May this quote, from the book THE ART OF STLLNESS by Pico Iyer, help you on your journey of enlightenment.
ENJOY THE LUXURY of stillness!
In an age of speed, I began to think,
nothing could be more invigorating than going slow.
In an age of distraction, nothing can feel more luxurious
than paying attention.
Pico Iyer
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