One of my early morning habits, when the house is still and quiet, is a period of reflection. It has been a recent addition and one that is both powerful and productive.
I generally start by thinking about the day ahead, visualising what I want to happen and anticipating some of the challenges I might face. Sometimes that’s as far as I get but on other days I have the time and energy to think more broadly about my life and what’s going well and what isn’t working.
One day, I reflected on why this time each day is so valuable and that I should write this post on the benefits that accrue. So, here goes on why it’s beneficial to me and could be for you too;
It creates a base line to start the day
Each and every day starts the same. A cup of coffee and a period of sitting (usually) in the darkness, ideally with a screen door open to welcome the smell and sounds of the pre-dawn early morning. For me it’s the reassuring cool breeze from the nearby river and the sound of the local kookaburra introducing him (or her) self to the neighbourhood. This time sets the tone of feeling positive and prepared for the day ahead.
It provides perspective
Often, I feel caught up in the troubles and turmoil of everyday living with the weight of the world on my shoulders. This reflection time is important to achieve perspective on how in the grand scheme of things those issues don’t mean all that much. I feel calmer and more prepared to tackle the day ahead.
It provides time to be creative
Somehow the calm reflection unleashes unstructured thoughts, emotions and feelings which invariably produces some great ideas and solutions to problems that I was previously having difficulty with. It’s a hugely uplifting feeling when it happens, especially when it comes at the beginning of the day.
It helps me learn from my mistakes
I know that if I don’t reflect on my mistakes, I am likely to repeat them. This reflection time enables me to learn and think about how I would think and behave differently next time a similar situation arises.
I feel happier
Perhaps the best outcome from my reflection is that I feel happier and more positive about the day. Whatever negative thoughts or actions transpired yesterday, the morning reset to zero, makes me feel happier.
My morning reflection is absolutely my favourite part of the day.