Topic: Joyful Living
At night, as I am laying in bed relaxing, I take some time to feel gratitude and appreciation for all that I am blessed with, seen and unseen. I intend to feel peace, and to have a restful and restorative sleep that will bring my physical body back to its true state of health. I imagine awakening in the morning with joy, feeling excited about the upcoming day and all the blessings that are to come from it. If there is any message that I need to hear, it will appear in my dreams, and I will recall it upon waking.
The "tone" is set for the morning. I fall into a deep slumber and then awaken as the sun begins to rise (my kids are early birds!). As I open my eyes, I feel JOY. PEACE. LOVE. Another day to be alive in this body. Another opportunity to love All That Is, beginning with myself. I take a deep breath, opening my lungs to bring in all the oxygen that my body needs in that moment. My body stretches out of its sleepy state, arching and curling, slowly warming up. Before I roll out of bed, I give thanks for this life, appreciating all that I have, and all that I am.
Still slightly dark outside, I go into the bathroom and splash my face with water. For me, this is the most effective way to wake my mind up. Sometimes I take a shower first thing in the morning, which is even more effective, but it just doesn't always happen that way. I try to at least get my face and my hair wet to get that refreshed and rejuvenated feeling. Then I rub a mixture of coconut, lemon, and sandalwood oils in my palms and then on my skin and a tiny bit in my hair. It smells so good, I sometimes go a little overboard with it! This all feels like a delicious ritual and is very satisfying. It's like soul food.
Moving into the kitchen, and into brighter light, I am now prepared for what action is to come. Ready to dance with the dishes and organize breakfast, I down a big glass of blue solar water, and turn on some feel-good, upbeat music. The kids are usually hungry first thing in the morning, so a quick snack is usually in order while I prepare the "real" meal, even if the real meal is just cereal with cut up fruit! I like to take my time eating (okay, I am actually just starting to really work on this, because for the past three years of parenthood, I have taught myself to swallow sandwiches in olympic time). I want to enjoy my meal and really feel the energy that I put into creating it (even if all I did was pour it into a bowl!) and not be constantly distracted by the noise my boys can make. So, by learning to take the time to anticipate their needs as well as my own, I can help to create a much more peaceful morning flow. And by doing this, I have the time and energy to do what I LOVE. And all of this is triggered by me paying attention to indulging my senses! How wonderful is that?
Once the kids are content playing, I clear clutter from the kitchen that didn't get picked up the evening before. I get all the dishes into the sink. I put away clean dishes from the dish drain, and pull out whatever I need to make breakfast. If any laundry needs to be washed, it gets done then. I start breakfast, and wash what dishes I can here and there. Usually the boys need something by this time, and I try to just multitask and relax into the flow (even if it feels like I'm in the rapids sometimes!). They get into another activity, or they come and "help" me. =) Then we sit down and eat. Sweet relief. All the work put in is transferred back into our bodies to continue the cycle. Tasting the unique flavors put into the meal is something that I enjoy as a part of my creative expression in the art of food. It is fun and very satisfying!
We replenish our bodies with more blue solar water and whatever nutritious drink mix I have concocted for us that day. We drink more water, brush our teeth, and get dressed for the day. It is important to me to wear clothes that feel good. And by this I mean I love the way I look and feel in them. Fabrics that flatter my figure and encourage me to feel beautiful. We all chill out and play for a little while, letting go and just being. Sometimes I putter around doing a quick tidy-up of whatever mess we have created. Sometimes I sit and nurse Kenny for awhile if that is what is needed. When the time feels right, or when inspiration flows, I sit down and "work" (though I can hardly call writing or creating art "work" at all!) at my desk, or wherever is appropriate. Fresh flowers are visible at all times. If they smell beautiful too, that's even better! My desk is top priority in keeping clear of clutter. I take deep breaths and feel love and joy and peace with each one. Joyfully, I am ready to "work" and play, at the same time. The morning has flowed gracefully. Through the highs and lows of different speeds at which our energies transfer, I remain at peace, with love, and joy, knowing that the whole of our being is completely and continually perfect in every moment.
