Morning Mode

So I know I wrote this blog that I am not a morning person at all. Check it out… Sleep
I did all that I could throughout the week so that when Saturday came I could just sleep in.  However –here I am up bright eyed and bushy tailed.  I think that is because I got my eight hours in.  Even on the Friday night I made it a point not to stay up late and get at least eight hours of rest in.

I have been reading articles, books and hearing messages that say this is such an important task at hand so that we are more productive throughout the day.  I cannot express enough how much I dislike waking up in the morning when I still feel so deprived of my sleep.  I normally have to wake up by 6 am everyday to join the prayer line and then prep to leave the house by 7:15 for a carpool type situation.

These tasks leave me completely spent by the end of the week.  When Saturday arrives I just want to do me and that is NOTHING.  I want to rest more, wake when I want with no alarm clock and begin my day however I please without having plans or a set schedule. I like this.  So today I rise at 7:15 around the time I am up and outside the house for the rest of the week.  This time the only plans I have is to take my sweet time at every thing.

I will share that the sleep emphasis for a better morning is spot on! How many of us go throughout our days with just 4 or 5 hours sleep because we are too “busy”.  Well we truly have to learn to get un-busy and do some of the things that our body does need so that it can wind down and adjust.  Here are the things that I am retaining that help for a better morning –better day –better planning:

1. Prayer! This is a form of practice that we must learn to incorporate into our schedule.  If all else goes south and you have nothing else left in you this is the way that is going to sustain you.

But I will sing of Your power; Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; For You have been my defense And refuge in the day of my trouble.
Psalm 59:16

2. Reading! Reading is life.  Reading helps you to relax and wind down.  It helps fill your mind with right things, educates you and prepares you.  I love curling up with a good book and getting my eyes off the screen and device.  Good thing we still have Barnes & Nobles in business so that we can get some paper books!

Blessed in the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly nor sits in the seat of the scornful but his delight is in the law of the Lord.  And in His law he mediates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2

3. Rest! We need those 7 to 9 hours of good wholesome rest.  It does our body good –it does our mind good.  It does our life good.  Even if you have to take a power nap.  They are called power naps because they are actually restorative to your mind and body! Learn to take naps when you need to.

I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8

4. Right Relationships! Yes this is super, super important because this helps you to live a better life that is not consumed with stress because of poor connections.  There is nothing worse than draining, depressing, consuming and toxic relationships.  When you invest and your return is pain –this is when we truly must recognize as something we can never or no longer allow in our lives! Seek right relationships so that when you invest –they invest right back GOOD results!

I am a companion of all who fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.
Psalm 119:63

As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
Proverbs 27:17

These quick four notes I hope will encourage you to practice so that you will have more productive days.  This is my morning mode.  This helps me so that I am not sluggish.

I will continue now resting…reading… relaxing… little music in the background going with Thorie nearby (my lil yorkie doggie) and my coffee.  This makes me happy.

Have a wonderful Saturday all.  Plan it well and do the things that will invigorate your soul and help you to grow stronger.  Let this morning mode for you be life transforming!

With Love,
Christina