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morning people motivation

Good Morning!… Or Is It?

The other day, I had a busy morning ahead of me. Then again, most mornings are busy! A coworker came into my office and I said, “Good morning!”

The coworker isn’t always the most chipper guy. He replied with a dour, “Is it?”

I smiled and thought of the reasons why it was a good morning. So I replied with, “Yes!” That didn’t convince him. And it’s okay. I have come to the conclusion how we start our day sets the tone for the rest of the day. A quote by Marcus Aurelius drove this home to me.

When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.

Marcus Aurelius Via BrainyQuote.com

It is too easy to take for granted that each morning belongs to us. It does not! We are not entitled to one more day on this earth any more than we are entitled to a comfortable, trouble-free life. Each day is a gift. Each breath, thought and loving gesture is a present to enjoy.

Creatives and Mornings

Creative employees can be notorious for making it clear they are not morning people. They shuffle in with a sour look on their face and implore everyone not to talk to them until at least 10:00 AM. The classic battle between night owls and early birds plays out in most offices across the world.

However, I ask you to consider this: what would mornings look like if we began each one with gratitude? What if we consider how blessed we are that we have one more day?

Some days can be a challenge for that frame of thinking. As I write this, it is a rainy Monday. I know the day will begin for me with some hot deadlines and challenges. Yet, I am thankful for one more breath and a day to think, enjoy and love. Today is a good morning!

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motivation

Be Careful How You Start Your Mornings

I get it. Some people don’t believe they are morning people. Some even like the term “Night Owl.” I’ve been around a few of the Night Owls when they have endured a morning. It’s like watching a bear come out of hibernation.

But how you start your day can affect the rest of it. If you wake up at the last possible minute, tear through your house, franticly looking for your glasses and car keys, the rest of the day is going to feel chaotic and out of control.

If today started out that way, it’s okay. We’ve all had some chaotic morning. Make a choice tonight to get the sleep you need and to give yourself enough time to wake up and start the day in a relaxed, intentional way. It beats having a wardrobe crises!

I’ve been reading The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. If you’re looking for the why and how to start your day out right, I’d recommend this book

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Easter holiday

Happy Easter Sunrise!

Cartoon of boy and mom with sunriseIt is 6:58 AM in Dayton, Ohio and the sun has officially risen! While I am not at a Sunrise service this morning, I am at church and helping my fabulous wife get ready for a busy day. My guess is there will be a few kids looking like the kid in my cartoon. It won’t matter whether they arrive at 8:00, 9:30 or the 11:00 AM service. Some kids just won’t be ready to face the day.

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cartoon children cartoons holiday

Morning Pumpkin

Cartoon of boy and jack-o-lantern. The boy says, “It’s six in the morning. Stop looking so happy!”

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Adobe Illustrator cartoon cliche gag cartoon Illustration Friday single panel cartoon webcomic

Early Bird vs. Night Owl

Cartoon of happy and annoyed guyCartoon of a happy guy and an annoyed guy. The happy guy says, “I’m sorry I’m bugging you. But you know what they say, the early bird annoys the night owl.”