I am still using the morning liturgy you inspired us to create in grad school! I made it all pretty on Canva and it’s laminated because that’s how I roll. 🤣 The combo of prayers and scriptures feel so familiar now. On days I have time, I’ll use the whole thing. And on mornings that are busier, I use the Lectio 365 app. But my favorite part of my early morning is lighting a beautiful set of three gold oil candles I got a few months ago as an anniversary gift. As I light them I welcome the Father Son and Holy Spirit to the room with me. And then all feels well in the world, at least for a little while.
How beautiful! I love the idea of lighting 3 candles to invite the Triune God into your home. That's so creative and meaningful. Thank you for sharing, Lesley.
Ten years ago I would have scoffed at Snoop being someone I listened to on any meaningful level, but here we are in upside-down 2024 and I am now certain that man is a National Treasure 🫶🏻 the affirmations, coming with Martha, the Olympic official cheerleader. I am so here for it!
I haven't been able (yet) to break the habit of looking at my cell phone as soon as I wake up, but I have decided not to read the news, check my email or go to social media. What I've been doing is I go straight to my notes app and start writing something, whatever is on my mind. I only take a couple of minutes since mornings tend to be hectic trying to get my kids to school, but I feel so much better than when I start my days overloaded with information.
The pull of your phone first thing in the morning is so real! I’m right there with you but I love how you’ve adapted it to make it a not so “bad” thing.
I intentionally set my alarm to get up early, so I have the house to myself in the dark early morning. I light a candle and say "You are here" to the Father. I sit with my dog curled up beside me, read some scripture, write out a prayer or two, sip my hot tea. I need to work on not looking at my phone, and I like the idea of taking a few seconds outside to be still, maybe stretch, and look at the sky all of which I can do since I have to take the dog out!
Me, too, Loretta--I set the alarm early to have the quiet, dark house to myself. And recently started lighting a candle. Cat instead of dog and coffee instead of tea, for me. :)
I’m surrounded by trees so watching the sunrise is hard. And I’m in NY so going outside as temperatures drop is also hard. I just need to come up with something similar.
As soon as I get a satisfying rhythm going something happens, like a change in season or a very early morning appointment, and then everything somehow gets off kilter and I have to start all over again.
The only non-negotiable is waking up praying and a whole lot of time by myself. Bonus points for puttering quietly/batching desk work in my room before emerging downstairs.
I while back I placed my rosary (Catholic tradition) under my pillow and reach for it first thing when I wake up in the morning to say my morning prayers. It makes me feel connected and centered as I pray for family and intentions or my mind wonders and I reel it back in and laugh at myself and know God hears it all. I like to think he’s chuckling along with me😊.
This post is so timely! I have been gradually crafting a new morning routine. I love that your ideas are accessible and not overwhelming. Thank you for sharing your morning with us.
I love this post! Morning routines have always been a challenge, but I won’t give up. Simple movements in reflection and intention - these are my main goals.
The simplicity of these few options make me feel so calm!
I sometimes overcomplicate my morning routine, so recently i've been trying to be ok with it not always looking exactly as planned.
I find a lot more peace if I just pick one tiny verse from the Bible and just sit with that. It seems like I'm not making much progress in my understanding until I realise I am... Slowly slowly, surely surely.
I’m finding it hard to get a good nights sleep and often times feel exhausted in the morning. Sleeping in until my toddler has to get up for preschool has become a disliked standard for me. I’m finding my morning routine that is for me starts when she goes to preschool. Instead of coming straight home, I go to the local park and jog for 30 minutes. Then it’s home for an egg sandwich before I start my chores. Taking time for myself isn’t something I allowed the past couple of years so I’m really trying hard to give myself permission to take those moments.
In the middle of the night when I can’t sleep, I’ve been listening to past sermons instead of scrolling social media. That’s helped me go to back to sleep much faster.
I still reach for my phone in the morning to help wake up, but now I read Substack instead of scrolling social media, and it’s a much better way to start my day. Past that, my morning essentials are: workout/walk/yoga, reading, and a hearty breakfast and tea before work. The rhythm of the mornings really does set the tone for the day!
Funny enough, walking my kids up the road to their bus stop has become a morning ritual. It wakes me up. Then I walk home, eat breakfast & have my coffee. Centering prayer is next, and then reading as well. My goal is to not pick up my phone before 10am 🙏🤷♀️
I’ve enjoyed reading these comments and contemplating my own morning rhythm. I actually grab my phone first thing since it has my alarm on it. BUT, what if I got a small alarm clock, so that is the first thing I pick up? Maybe that will slow my mind and give me space to breathe deeply before I start my day.
I was in the habit of coming to my office and reading from Kate Bowler and Jennifer Richie’s book “Good Enough” while I drink my coffee. I think I will get back to that.
So many good ideas in the chat for how to start the day in an unfrenzied way. ❤️
I have a 6 month old so mornings look different now. I typically wake with him so my first few hours I spend with him. I’m still finding my new normal in this season I’d love to know how others of you have navigated mornings with little ones! Thanks ❤️
I am still using the morning liturgy you inspired us to create in grad school! I made it all pretty on Canva and it’s laminated because that’s how I roll. 🤣 The combo of prayers and scriptures feel so familiar now. On days I have time, I’ll use the whole thing. And on mornings that are busier, I use the Lectio 365 app. But my favorite part of my early morning is lighting a beautiful set of three gold oil candles I got a few months ago as an anniversary gift. As I light them I welcome the Father Son and Holy Spirit to the room with me. And then all feels well in the world, at least for a little while.
How beautiful! I love the idea of lighting 3 candles to invite the Triune God into your home. That's so creative and meaningful. Thank you for sharing, Lesley.
I would LOVE to know more about creating my own morning liturgy!! What did that process look like?
Same! I’m curious if you, Leslie, would be open to sharing yours.
I listen to Mandisa's song "Good Morning," and Snoop Dogg's affirmations. They help me get up in the morning.
*googling Snoop Dogg's affirmations*
Snoop Dogg has children’s affirmation songs?!?! Who knew…
Ten years ago I would have scoffed at Snoop being someone I listened to on any meaningful level, but here we are in upside-down 2024 and I am now certain that man is a National Treasure 🫶🏻 the affirmations, coming with Martha, the Olympic official cheerleader. I am so here for it!
I haven't been able (yet) to break the habit of looking at my cell phone as soon as I wake up, but I have decided not to read the news, check my email or go to social media. What I've been doing is I go straight to my notes app and start writing something, whatever is on my mind. I only take a couple of minutes since mornings tend to be hectic trying to get my kids to school, but I feel so much better than when I start my days overloaded with information.
The pull of your phone first thing in the morning is so real! I’m right there with you but I love how you’ve adapted it to make it a not so “bad” thing.
The ritual of making the coffee and taking the first hot sip.
I intentionally set my alarm to get up early, so I have the house to myself in the dark early morning. I light a candle and say "You are here" to the Father. I sit with my dog curled up beside me, read some scripture, write out a prayer or two, sip my hot tea. I need to work on not looking at my phone, and I like the idea of taking a few seconds outside to be still, maybe stretch, and look at the sky all of which I can do since I have to take the dog out!
Me, too, Loretta--I set the alarm early to have the quiet, dark house to myself. And recently started lighting a candle. Cat instead of dog and coffee instead of tea, for me. :)
Ill be thinking about you in the morning! :)
Having a resting place for my phone so it is available but not on my person, watching at least one sunrise a week, praying, and coffee:)
I love when I can catch the sunrise 🌅 It amazes me every time!
I’m surrounded by trees so watching the sunrise is hard. And I’m in NY so going outside as temperatures drop is also hard. I just need to come up with something similar.
As soon as I get a satisfying rhythm going something happens, like a change in season or a very early morning appointment, and then everything somehow gets off kilter and I have to start all over again.
The only non-negotiable is waking up praying and a whole lot of time by myself. Bonus points for puttering quietly/batching desk work in my room before emerging downstairs.
I while back I placed my rosary (Catholic tradition) under my pillow and reach for it first thing when I wake up in the morning to say my morning prayers. It makes me feel connected and centered as I pray for family and intentions or my mind wonders and I reel it back in and laugh at myself and know God hears it all. I like to think he’s chuckling along with me😊.
This post is so timely! I have been gradually crafting a new morning routine. I love that your ideas are accessible and not overwhelming. Thank you for sharing your morning with us.
I love this post! Morning routines have always been a challenge, but I won’t give up. Simple movements in reflection and intention - these are my main goals.
The simplicity of these few options make me feel so calm!
I sometimes overcomplicate my morning routine, so recently i've been trying to be ok with it not always looking exactly as planned.
I find a lot more peace if I just pick one tiny verse from the Bible and just sit with that. It seems like I'm not making much progress in my understanding until I realise I am... Slowly slowly, surely surely.
I’m finding it hard to get a good nights sleep and often times feel exhausted in the morning. Sleeping in until my toddler has to get up for preschool has become a disliked standard for me. I’m finding my morning routine that is for me starts when she goes to preschool. Instead of coming straight home, I go to the local park and jog for 30 minutes. Then it’s home for an egg sandwich before I start my chores. Taking time for myself isn’t something I allowed the past couple of years so I’m really trying hard to give myself permission to take those moments.
In the middle of the night when I can’t sleep, I’ve been listening to past sermons instead of scrolling social media. That’s helped me go to back to sleep much faster.
I still reach for my phone in the morning to help wake up, but now I read Substack instead of scrolling social media, and it’s a much better way to start my day. Past that, my morning essentials are: workout/walk/yoga, reading, and a hearty breakfast and tea before work. The rhythm of the mornings really does set the tone for the day!
I love that you stopped scrolling social media first thing. I left SM in 2021 and I never looked back. I sometimes forget it still exists.
I’m glad it’s been a good thing for you too! Social media can be wonderful, but there is also freedom to be found from stepping away from it.
Funny enough, walking my kids up the road to their bus stop has become a morning ritual. It wakes me up. Then I walk home, eat breakfast & have my coffee. Centering prayer is next, and then reading as well. My goal is to not pick up my phone before 10am 🙏🤷♀️
I’ve enjoyed reading these comments and contemplating my own morning rhythm. I actually grab my phone first thing since it has my alarm on it. BUT, what if I got a small alarm clock, so that is the first thing I pick up? Maybe that will slow my mind and give me space to breathe deeply before I start my day.
I was in the habit of coming to my office and reading from Kate Bowler and Jennifer Richie’s book “Good Enough” while I drink my coffee. I think I will get back to that.
So many good ideas in the chat for how to start the day in an unfrenzied way. ❤️
I have a 6 month old so mornings look different now. I typically wake with him so my first few hours I spend with him. I’m still finding my new normal in this season I’d love to know how others of you have navigated mornings with little ones! Thanks ❤️