health

How I’m Starting My Mornings

Sincerely AngieLeave a comment
Post originally written 10/26/2023

I was listening to a podcast (Blessed and Bossed Up) the other day and the
host talked about 5 steps to take, to start your mornings and how to focus. That
got me to thinking about what I could do in the morning to be more intentional with
my time with God and my gratitude. I started to picture in my mind what was
feasible for me in the morning. 

First thing I tend to do is look over at my clock to see the time and then
let my baby Rockie out to do his thang. Depending on the time, I will grab my
phone and swipe through the notifications. Then I realize that I hadn’t thanked
God yet and put it down to give thanks. I usually have a text message waiting
for me with a inspirational/motivational video, so I lay with my eyes closed
and listen to that. Then I get up and start my day, that’s if I don’t fall back off to
sleep.

There was no intentionality to the start of my days at all. Also, the other
day I saw a video where someone was saying to laugh for 20 seconds when you
wake up to set your mind to happy. They named a few other things but I forgot
what they were. I took this as a sign that I needed to change my morning
routine.

This is what comes to mind for me. When I wake up, the first thing I do is open my eyes so the first thing that comes to mind is to be grateful for another day and the gift of sight. The second thing is to sit up or switch positions so that it’s a little harder to fall back asleep. Thirdly, be still. Fourthly, give thanks and speak affirmations to myself and for the day. Fifthly, find a scripture to study/meditate on for the day. Ex. “This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!” Lastly, get up and stretch.

  • See Opening your eyes to see the gifts before you. The gift of sight, the roof over your head, your bed, the electricity is on and you have breath in your body. Just to name a few.
  • Sit up or switch positions Prepare your mind and body to wake up fully to start your day.
  • Stillness Be still. No TV, no phone, no distractions. Just take a moment to breathe.
  • Say/Speak Give thanks for the new day that you were blessed with. Speak positive words, thoughts and affirmations for the day.
  • Scripture Meditate on a scripture for the day or think of a positive word to speak to yourself and others throughout the day.
  • Stretch Stand up and stretch out your arms to heaven, expand your chest, take deep breaths, bend over and touch your toes. Loosen those muscles.

This blueprint may not be meant for everyone but it’s helping me and hopefully it can help you. Just as I was motivated based on the podcast I heard, you too can be motivated. Alter these steps to your liking. Happy grateful, thankful and positive mornings!

Sincerely,

Angie

Just Because You Never…

Sincerely AngieLeave a comment

Just because you never experienced something, doesn’t mean you can’t start today or that it’s okay to remain in “neverland.” Never, is a crutch that I don’t think we talk about enough. The word “never” can also keep us in bondage because “never” is such an absolute word. “I will never…” How do you know that life won’t force you to do what you never thought you would? I digress. I will speak on that side of never after I return from a solo trip I “never” thought about.

I talk often on many podcasts episodes and blog posts about my childhood and how I never grew up with love. But that never stopped me from wanting, showing and being the love that I wish I had as a child. In case you didn’t catch that, what I’m saying is, just because I never experienced it, doesn’t mean I can’t make a conscious decision to change that for my present and future. Ask my ex bf from when I was 19 years old. He will tell you how I operated in love at 19 without even really knowing what love was.

We are not all the same and we don’t get there at the same time but you shouldn’t be 40 still blaming your childhood on something you could have changed when you learned better or if you really wanted to.

On the job I’ve heard people say, “I was never taught that.” For me, I am a quick learner and I am inquisitive. If I see or hear of something I wasn’t aware of, I ask questions and research to learn more about it. Just because you weren’t taught it, doesn’t mean you can’t learn it when you hear about it.

Jesus, Google, Siri, Cortana and Alexa, are all available 24/7. They don’t have off days. They are just one short call away. Utilize that.

Years ago an old friend of mine said that he wasn’t romantic because growing up he never saw romance in front of him. I was flabbergasted because in my mind I’m thinking, haven’t you watched TV, movies and/or heard R&B music??? Romance is everywhere. Just pay attention, try and apply what you see or hear and see what sticks. It’s a choice to remain where you are because the crutch is so much better than the discomfort of trying something new or different.

I’m not perfect nor am I striving for perfection. I just want us to be more self-aware of excuses and crutches that hinder us from growth and a victim mindset. We can all point out areas where we didn’t know something and willingly pursued it. We just have to be more adamant about being that way in other areas of our lives and setting fear to the side.

Sincerely,

Angie