I’m changing my morning routine because of something Tony Robbins said. “If you don’t have 10 minutes, you don’t have a life .” I have a gratitude ritual/routine that I’ve done for a long time, but I’ve always done it at night to relax my mind for sleep. I’m such an insomniac that I have plenty of time for prayer at night! But my morning ritual has always been hit or miss. I’m not a morning person. It can take an hour to drag myself to consciousness and full cognitive functioning. But today I did my gratitude practice as soon as I woke up. I started out with stretching and deep breathing to get the oxygen moving. Just that alone was a mood changer.

My gratitude ritual is a 3-part prayer where first I thank God for 5 things, one of two being very simple like the color of the leaves or the birdsong that lifted my spirit that day. Next I hand off 5 things that are too big for me to carry like my foot pain, my concern for my business or something going on in my family that hurts my heart. Finally I thank God for 5 things yet to happen, but I word my thanks in the present tense and visualize it as fully accomplished. I put myself into the experience of my desire being fulfilled. This prayer has been part of my practice for years and it changes my outlook, my mindset and my ability to persist in hope.

The problems of the world still exist and I am still living with relentless pain — but fear and anger can’t exist in the face of gratitude.

Do you have rituals/routines that start your day – beside that cup of coffee/tea??? Please share – you might inspire someone to try it!