Over the years I have developed a morning routine which helps foster creativity, self-awareness, mindfulness, spiritual growth and holistic health. It has been quite a journey of self-discovery, recovery, and spiritual growth.
It all started over two decades ago when I first read the book “The Artists Way” by Julia Cameron. In her book one of the suggestions that stuck for me was her notion of “Morning Pages”. Write three pages upon waking up, train of consciousness, to help open the door of the unconscious mind, and open a window to the air of creativity. I started doing this most mornings.
A few years later I found myself in the grips of mental illness and addiction. I knew my recovery from mental illness could not be successful if I kept drinking and using drugs. However, I found it difficult to stay stopped on my own. Luckily, I found sobriety and recovery. In these communities I learned of the power of prayer. Meditation was suggested, but I did not incorporate that regularly, right away. Adding prayer to my morning routine helped immensely!
After eight years clean and sober I relapsed. I found it hard to stay sober. I dove deeper into spirituality and mental health treatment where meditation became a practice I could use to help manage my emotional sobriety and anxiety. I had always been athletic and enjoyed exercise. However, the practice of Yoga, or light stretching and breathing became another tool I learned to use.
I have had the most stable and successful years of my life after incorporation of these morning practices. I am able to come out of the unconscious, spill forth consciously, connect to myself and the world, and activate my mind and body, bringing harmony and balance.
These activities woven together have been a powerfully grounded inside out way for me to connect with myself and the world as well as learn, grow, develop spiritually, and heal holistically.
I will leave you with this. I don’t always do these things, and when I do I do not always take a lot of time with them. However, when I do them my days are different, my experience is different. I am enabled the ability to continue to learn and grow on a daily basis.