The morning is extremely important. It is the foundation from which the rest of the day is built. How you choose to spend your morning can often be used to accurately predict what kind of day you’re going to have.
Here’s how to make it a happy one…
1. A calm awakening.
In the space between the edge of the night and the chaos of the day, you have a chance to make a special space for yourself. In this space, thoughts and contentment neatly overlap, where past and future issues cease to exist, and time touches eternity. Hovering about your mind, as you gently begin to stir, there are beautiful visions no one has ever seen and soothing harmonies no one has ever heard.
These first few moments of the day are sacred. Savor them. Protect them. Awaken yourself peacefully, stretch fully and breathe deeply in them without rushing forward. Give yourself this time as a gift, to simply be and feel alive, to conquer the anxiety of life, and live in the moment breath by breath.
2. Meditate on the goodness.
Begin each day with love, grace, and gratitude.
When you arise in the morning, think of what a great privilege it is to be alive – to be, to see, to hear, to think, to love, to have something to look forward to. Happiness is a big part of these little parts of your life; joy is simply the feeling of appreciating it.
Realize that it’s not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy. Make a habit of noticing the goodness that’s already yours and you will see more of it every time you look for it. (Read The Happiness Project.)
3. Let go to begin anew.
Each new morning greets you with no restrictions except for the restrictions you place on it.
Don’t hold yourself hostage for the things that didn’t work out yesterday. Don’t let your history interfere with your purpose today. Let yesterday go. Every morning is the start of a new day with no mistakes, just possibilities.
Release and renew. Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.
4. Be right where you are.
Live now. Not before. Not later. Just NOW – in the moment you’re in. Inhabit your morning completely. Don’t rent it out to the past or the future.
Do you know what you’re doing to yourself when you wake up and start worrying about every other time and place?
You’re cheating yourself out of the moments we call “life.” Your real life – the here and now – is calling to you, trying to get your attention, but you’re stuck on another time and place, and so your life keeps dripping away moment by moment like fresh water down a dirty drain. You wake up the next morning and all those priceless moments of your life are wasted and gone forever. Some of those moments may have had magnificent experiences in store for you, but now you’ll never know…
Bottom line: Don’t be so worried about what’s ahead of you and behind you that you never enjoy where you are. Start your morning off right by paying full attention to it.
5. Find a little inspiration
Sometimes all you need is a little inspiration in the morning.
Read a motivational quote. Listen to a song that moves you. Watch a short video clip that inspires you. This can provide a framework for the day, a sort of positive pep-talk that keeps you motivated and heading in the right direction, as opposed to succumbing to the negativity spewing out of morning newscasters and radio talk show hosts.
Another option: Use a motivational mantra or affirmation that provides a meditation-like burst, or read or recite some prose that helps you focus. (And of course, if you’re looking for an easily digestible source of daily inspiration, look no further than our book, 1,000 Little Things Happy, Successful People Do Differently.)
6. Exercise your love.
Love is the foundation. Love is the board under the chalk, the ground from which giant trees and buildings arise, and the oxygen in the air. It’s the place you come back to, no matter where you’ve been or where you’re headed. Love is where life’s goodness begins.
Every morning, kiss all the people you love in your house (including your pets). And once you’ve done that, set ten minutes aside to do something you love – perhaps a hobby or a quiet morning walk. Doing something positive will help you set the mood you need to create a great day. When you smile, your body relaxes. When you experience a loving human interaction, or a deep connection to a passion, it eases tension in your body. Connecting with the right people and activities soothes stress and provides you with a positive foundation for your day, as well as keeping you focused on what’s truly important.
7. Follow a relaxing morning routine.
Morning routines are critically important. They help you focus and build momentum for your day, and they give you the freedom to be present and relaxed – to enjoy just being right where you are each moment, rather than rushing from somewhere to somewhere. Once you get your routine in order, for the first time in a long time, you will be able to, quite literally, smell the coffee.
For truly relaxing mornings, reduce the number of decisions you must make. There are two simple ways to do this: First, make your big morning decisions the night before: what to eat for breakfast, what clothes to wear, what you need to take to work, etc. Second, build a simple routine for as much of your daily morning tasks as possible.
Really, there’s no need to drastically alter the simple things like how much time you give yourself to get ready for work, how complex of a meal you make for breakfast, or bathroom and shower rituals from one morning to the next. (Read The Power of Less.)
8. Move on to what’s most important.
Today is a golden opportunity to do something that matters to you.
When was the last time you woke up and said, “Today could be the best day of my life”? Participate in your dreams today. Your potential is limitless. Put first things first and take action on an important task that’s been lingering.
Success is not something you have; it’s something you DO. It’s something you experience when you wake up and act accordingly. Be a self-starter. Let your first hour set the theme of proactivity and success that is certain to echo through your entire day. Today will never happen again. Don’t waste it with a false start or no real start at all.
The floor is yours…
How do you like to start your mornings? What puts you in a happy mood when you first wake up? Please let us know by leaving a comment below.
Photo by: Aristocrats-hat
Iqra says
Very nice article. I like the positive energy being conveyed in these tips.
anon.. says
You are beyond amazing for what you do. I’m forever grateful for your words, you truly help me take a step further each day and if it hadn’t been for your guiding lines I would have still been stuck where I was a year ago, which was not a good place.
Thank you.
Shirley says
I have been trying to change my morning rituals for some time now. It is harder when you have to be at work at 7am. These rituals seem more like an activity for someone getting up at 7 or 8am. However, this doesn’t mean I cannot learn from them and make positive adjustments. I just wanted to say thank you for sharing great words of wisdom with those of us trying to find our way. Incidentally, I’ve been playing the Trololo song in the morning because it makes me feel happy and laugh a bit.
Dev says
Excellent ideas for a good morning.
I love starting my morning with a warm shower and a kiss from my wife. 🙂
Jono says
I love number 2. I started doing it a few months back and have really found that by thinking about all the things I am grateful for in my life each morning – it puts me in a really positive frame of mind for the rest of the day.
Thanks for the article!
Andrea says
Cafe Americano, morning pages and a cat on my lap… All together. Everyday.
I like the idea of reading an inspirational passage or quote… I think I’ll add it to my already wonderful ritual. Thank you!
Vincent Nguyen says
What I used to do:
Ten Good Mornings (stretches)
Journal
Meditate briefly
Consult journal once more
Drink a huge glass of water (come on, my body’s been thirsty for 8+ hours)
Brush
Eat
Meditate briefly before starting the day
Sadly, I haven’t been faithful to my morning rituals. Now it is more like wake up, check emails, figure out what I can reply to right now, run some daily website stuff, and other hectic-filled activities.
I love my mornings to death even now because I’m enjoying all the work I do. Although I do wish I could merge my current “rituals” with the former.
Elizabeth says
I find that there is nothing more lovely than watching the sun rise and listen to the birds all chirping after a walk or a run.
Teresa says
I love to wake up to the birds singing as I look at the views of the Nipomo hills from my bed, next I practice being grateful for something, and then I have my my morning coffee and hot shower. I also try to pay a compliment once a day to someone with a smile. It makes me feel good.
Cornelius says
Yogilates for 10-15 minutes, listening to a few favorite songs (this works great for me!), having breakfast and enjoying coffee…. I dedicate enough time, so I don’t have to rush through this. 🙂
Ivanova says
Best way of waking up:
1. reminding myself how lucky i am for being healthy,
2. strong sun light throught the window
3. huge natural breakfast
Caelidh says
I believe peaceful mornings are vital.
My mornings recently have been incredibly stressful and has cascaded through my day.
I am in transition currently and trying to find equalibrium.
Thank you for validating this important ritual.
John Parker says
I never gave it a lot of thought before reading your post, but I see that my wife and I do a lot of the things you write about. I work at home and my wife works at the local university. One thing that’s made our mornings calmer is moving closer to her work. She now walks to work and doesn’t have to worry at all about the commute traffic.
Nang says
I wake up an hour earlier than my family so I can enjoy a few quiet, thoughtful moments before the chaos of life begins. I eat breakfast & drink a cup of tea while reading your blog. I cherish the first hour of my day. Thank you for being a part of it.
Argenta says
Brush teeth and hair
Open a window if not too cold, or make a fire
Meditate outside 20 mins (used to be: run)
Shower
Make breakfast & eat with kids
Suanne says
I rub my little dog’s belly before we walk outside. If I time it right, we watch the sunrise over the intracoastal waterway.
Jen says
What you wrote is very similar to what I do. I give up morning sleep, but it’s worth it – I get up, meditate, do some pt and cardio exercise, eat breakfast, read what I call “soul reading”, shower and get dressed. Then I try to tackle my most “brain-involved” task for work, when I’m fresh and rested.
Karisma says
Beautiful! Awesome message. Great information to start your day.
Gerry Rasmus aka KOTO says
Realizing that yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, knowing now is the only time there is, I tell me, myself and I, that we love us unconditionally, 5 times. When I open the doors of my heart and home, I walk into the first day of the rest of our lives, sharing smiles, helping hands and words of encouragement to all in my path, be it human or animal, deriving priceless inner-wealth, being a big part of the solution, not pollution, cha, cha, cha…
Diana says
Number 5 — Well, it is the posting from Marc and Angel dot com. Thanks for the inspiration to start another great day of living!
Elvia says
I love a long walk in the mornings, for about an hour or so. However it is a big effort to wake up early and watch the sunrise. Although when I succeed, it is definitely well worth it!!
Viviane says
Before I met my husband, I would sleep until 5 minutes before I had to leave for work. I would jump out of bed, throw on clothes, put my hair up and rush rush rush! He taught me the value of waking up earlier, having a cup of coffee with no distractions, and really letting myself come back into the world from sleep. I am so grateful!
Dana says
I used to like to walk the dog in a special park very early before work and see the sun come up and the birds hail it.
Fran says
I’d like to change my mornings to a more positive routine. I always have the struggle of waking up so late and rushing through my mornings all the time because my flaw is number 7. I don’t organize the night before to have an easy morning.
Shanks says
Your articles are all inspiring and puts me a positive frame of mind. It has been a helping hand and a guiding light for me. I eagerly look forward to every new post.
Thank you so much for your wonderful words.
Sheila says
I like to get up really early (5:30) when everything is quiet so I can greet the day. Before getting up I take a moment to breathe and set my intention for the day. I then visualize my day for a few moments because I’ve found that visualizing works for me.
After that I’m on to my morning routine before the hustle and bustle starts. I think the key is to take a moment and be fully aware at the start of the day and not just on autopilot.
Amandah says
Great post for a Monday morning!
Today, I slept in because I didn’t hear the alarm clock. This rarely happens; I must have needed the extra 15 minutes of sleep.
I like to mediate in the morning, or I’ll listen to a Joel Osteen podcast. Sometimes, I play with my cat before I begin my day. This puts me in a happy mood. Pets can have that affect on you. 🙂
Sayth says
To me being grateful is the way to kickstart a great day.
Deb says
About 2 years ago, I began enjoying the luxury of coffee in bed for about a half hour each morning. My husband and I take turns making it. This lets us start our day talking about a wide range of topics and lets us ease into the day. If one of us is away, we share this time by telephone if possible, or I will catch up on personal email and reading. In the past, it was race to the gym, race home, race to work. This slower, relaxed pace means we connect each day and start things relaxed. I would not give it up for anything.
Susan says
Morning prayer . . . and greet the day with “Allah-u-Abha!”
Sandra Hamlett says
Meditation and writing in my journal each morning without fail keeps me in the now. Many times I have had anxiety or felt stressed on waking and while meditating what seemed so complicated before turns into something easily solved. The same thing happens when I write in my journal. I feel refreshed and ready for the day.
Shirley c says
I love reading something inspirational in the morning, which is how I found your blog. I love sharing things that touch me with my grown kids who are in the throws of active family days. They always tell me how it has helped them .
Like many of the comments above my husband and I practice our own morning rituals that soothe us. Once he leaves the house he continues his routines like stopping for breakfast and his coffee. This is a soothing thing he does for himself.
I work from home so I have my breakfast, read my inspiration and sometimes steal a few minutes outside with the birds or sitting by the fire. Then I pick up the house as the sun streams in shower and dress.
To Shirley who said you’re ideas are for people who don’t have early schedules I disagree. I get up earlier like the mom who gets up before her kids ( I did that too). But you also must go to bed earlier as well.
Have a beautiful day everyone. And I thank you for your eloquently stated writing I get to share with others. One of my daughters now subscribes to the feed. 🙂
Jo says
Thank you Marc and Angel. Have been on the lookout for the morning rituals for a while now.
Thanks for sharing your rituals here in the comments everyone.
TB at BlueCollarWorkman says
“Today could be the best day of my life” That’s pretty striking. Because actually, the best moments of my life are the ones that weren’t planned. They weren’t on the big vacations. They were the moments when I relaxed, felt grateful, and suddenly found myself profoundly happy with my family and the present moment.
Nvulane says
Being thankful for the morning also goes with prayer. For me, it works best, it sorts of charges me and gives me the sustenance I need for the day. Music is one other part that also works best for me. I guess almost everybody practises that one of listening to their best songs.
Aiyana says
Positive attitude, reading, and listening to music
Jacqueline Farley says
Reading a quotation from the Buddhism in Action Group on line – then contemplating/meditating for 10/20 minutes before preparing breakdast
Jody B says
For me, the key to a great morning starts the night before! A 5 minute ‘tidy’ of the living room, my purse, keys, and computer ready to go, and the coffee pot ready to roll are all cruitial to a smooth start to my day! I love the gratitude piece, and have recently set a reminder on my phone to trigger my gratefulnes at 8 or 9 am… as (let’s be real!) when I get up at 5, I’m really only grateful for my coffee! 🙂 Another great post – keep ’em coming!
Beth W says
My mornings start with slowly waking up and feeding the cats, taking some vitamins, a shower, then to the kitchen to fix my breakfast shake. I sit down at the computer and read through e-mails (looking for yours!), scrolling through FB, drink about 20 oz of water after finishing the shake, put on makeup, get dressed and go to work…never rushed…it’s time I give to me to start my day.
Tammy says
Hello,
Good morning to all 🙂
The way I like to start the morning off is to set the alarm 15-20 minutes ahead of the actual time I need to get out of bed to thank God for allowing me and my sons to see another day and meditate on how I could do something more productive than the day before.
Cheryl says
I also believe a morning ritual is the key to beginning each day on a positive note. I recently moved and have not got into a routine yet; but after reading what you have written, I’m on my way! Thank you! Going to print the above words and read it first thing in the morning to get me going:)
Bob says
Fabulous post. Whenever I get an email from you, I make it one of my top priorities to read and digest. You have the gift of wisdom; and as an author, let me say that you write beautifully. You add significant value to my life, and I am so grateful. Today’s post was precisely on point for me. It is what I am working on, and you helped me tremendously. May your return from this investment in us, return to you bountifully.
David Rapp says
No ritual here. My sleep is so deprived and ruled by medication that every day is different. My wife is a true morning person, bounces out of bed and slips right into her routine. I am in true need of something to calm my mind, meditation, yoga, tai chi, anything!!
Cathy says
I set my alarm for 4:30 a.m. and this gives me plenty of time to get up slowly, have breakfast, walk the dogs, spend 30 min. or so in prayer and reading devotional material, and then get showered and made up for work. I find that allowing plenty of time in the morning is a gift to myself and starts the day on a good pace. I look for “sparkles” in each day and find delight when something special or unexpected occurs that I consider “sparkly.”
Thank you for your emails! I often include them in my meditation time. 🙂
Cathy
Hill says
I recently got married and my husband got a new job where we has to leave the house at 5am…and on my days off. We decided not to let this deter us in building a foundation for our lives.
So at 3:45 his alarm goes off and gives us 15 minutes to just lay there together and be close and begin our day just peaceful and thankful. Then he showers while I make coffee and breakfast and his lunch to take with him. We eat and then spend time in prayer just speaking blessing and thanksgiving over each other and for our jobs and the business we are starting.
There has been such a tremendous change in my life, attitude and we both have experienced raises and favor in our jobs. Yes, there is a tremendous sacrifice in getting up earlier and I don’t always want to or feel happy about it, I’ve always been a night owl, but this shift in routine makes every day start on a good note even if it doesn’t end on one.
Marc and Angel, I love your blog you have inspired me an my friends so tremendously! Thank you!!
Yevheniya says
What a wonderful post 🙂 I think very often about the fact that I should seize the day more and this article is just what I needed. I was looking for something, like a suggestion/inspiration, about how to make my mornings better – and here it is! I think the LOA is working 😉 Have a wonderful day and thank you again ?
Patrik Edblad says
Wow, awesome article with great advice. Here’s a mindfulness exercise I really like to start my day with as I wake up (spending about 30 seconds on each step):
1. Connect to my breathing by taking some deep breaths
2. Move on to listening to the sounds around me without judging
3. Opening my eyes and taking in the different shades of light that enters the bedroom
4. Smile and start my day
Michelle dobbins says
My morning routine involves a short ten minute mediation before anything else, and then I get my four kids up and ready and fed. In the car, on the way to school, we rave about what’s gong right and set intentions for our day. Then, I usually go back home and have a longer meditation before I dive into my day. 🙂
Rick says
Morning exercise energizes my body and mind to take on the challenges of the day.
Jen says
I get up an hour and a quarter early each morning. I make a cup of fresh coffee and spend an hour working on my novel before I have to get ready for work. If I can spend the start of each day working on the thing that’s most important to me, it makes me feel more content and satisfied for the rest of the day. If I miss it, I feel out-of-sorts all day!