This post may seem simple but I hope it affects you in profound ways. I want to share the two little things that have brought big peace into my life. Just two small morning habits that have helped me get anchored in the morning…to focus and feel fulfilled at the end of the day, even after a bad day.
A Made Bed
The first may seem ridiculously simple, but it took me 47 years to learn it’s importance. I make my bed. Religiously. A friend finally convinced me that this would change my life. For years, I didn’t believe her. It seemed too insignificant to make any difference. Besides, if the rest of my room was clean and no one was going to see it, why bother?
Well I’m hear to tell you, it’s worth the bother and it did change my life. It gives me a sense of confidence I didn’t know I needed. It just feels good.
Every time I walk by my room, it’s like a VISUAL LOVE NOTE to myself. Something that says, “You matter. You have good habits. You are worth coming home to a made bed tonight. You started your day off right.” Whatever kind of day I have, I can come home later, see my bed and know I at least accomplished one good thing that day.
Studies show (I hate when people say that… really what studies?…well I’m too lazy to provide a footnote so just trust me.) that people who make their beds are more successful than people who don’t. Go figure. I promise it really is like setting a tangible intention for the day.
My advise. Don’t wait until you are 47 to try this experiment.
God, Pen and Paper
Thing two, and this is the actual anchor. I have a little morning devotional with myself most every morning. I don’t beat myself up if I miss a day (please never do that). I just make morning devotionals my default.
Here’s how mine look. I sit at my kitchen table near my window-I love sunlight, and I just start praying. I talk to God like He can actually hear me because I know He does. Sometimes I pour my heart out and sometimes I keep it brief, but real.
Occasionally I even give Him a few moments of quiet listening like my Sunday School teachers always suggested. That part is hard for me but when I offer God stillness, I’ve never been disappointed. Usually He just answers me back with peace and stillness…comfortable silence between me and God is my favorite.
All it is, is breathing in and out and letting the sun warm me, while I just be…. be present to the fact that I’m a daughter of God while keeping my mind completely clear. This stillness grounds me for the rest of the day.
I have no expectations for this time but occasionally God gives me thoughts or impressions that have been invaluable. For example, I’ve had impressions to call a specific friend and found she needed me in that very moment. Or impressions about a specific child’s needs that I wouldn’t have thought of.
I bring THREE THINGS to my kitchen table: my journal, my scriptures, and my calendar (I keep a physical one). There is no magic to the order I do things, but I usually read some scriptures after praying. I find God’s word opens me up to look at life through a beautiful lens and I often find very personal messages and answers to current questions, there in print written thousands of years ago, just for me.
After this, I take a look at whatever crazy plans I have for that day and open my journal. I write down some impressions, thoughts or concerns or just reflect on the day before. Sometimes it’s a few sentences, sometimes it’s two pages.
Then, and this is KEY. I write a list of my goals for the day right after my entry. I used to keep a separate notebook for goal setting and planning but now I keep things simple. One place where I write everything. No searching for a separate list or notebook. My whole life is in there and I love reading back on days from past seasons of my life and what I thought about and planned for my days.
Here’s the key. I keep my journal open on the table where I can see my goals for the day and check them off. It’s amazing how distracted I can get but I’ve trained myself to keep passing by my journal and re-focusing on my to-do list. I love the little rush I feel when I check a box. Some days the list is long and I only accomplish half the goals. I’ve learned to be realistic and be my own best friend. I make a double box next to the essentials, the things that will help me sleep that night knowing I did them. The rest are gravy.
Sometimes if I’m feeling especially unanchored my list can get pretty specific and even include things like “take a shower” or “make a gratitude list”.
Final thoughts. If you’re facing something hard or just feeling down and don’t know why, be your own best friend. Treat yourself with the kindness, respect, patience, gentleness, and firmness that you would treat your best friend with if she were going through something. Remember you are a literal child of a King. Drop that anchor and depend on His strength and power on your best and worst days.