Tag: mornings

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Coffee and Church Culture

Cartoon of two people observing a sleeping person on the floor. One says, "He's okay. He's just struggling because we aren't serving coffee."

I’ve grown up in a culture that values church and coffee. Yes, Coffee and church culture go together. When I’ve gone to church, I knew I could find a a carafe of coffee ready for those seeking a good word and a good brew.

But thanks to COVID, that’s been interrupted like so many other things. Today, when one goes to church, one notices the coffee bars are shut down and the carafes are missing. I have learned to bring my travel mug with me. That’s been the only reliable way to ensure I have a coffee in one hand and am lifting my hand in worship with the other. I like to keep the caffeinated praise going.

Cartoon of two people observing a sleeping person on the floor. One says, "He's okay. He's just struggling because we aren't serving coffee."

The poor guy in my cartoon didn’t come as prepared as I am. There was no cup of Joe to rise him from the muddled mind of the morning. He’ll be okay. He just needs someone to run to the convenience store and get him a good styrofoam cup of the high octane stuff!

I drew this cartoon for the November 2022 CHOGNews.

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motivation

Is Any Time a Good Time For a Good Scare?

Cartoon of a girl and a ghost

I’ve never been much of a horror movie fan. The term good scare sounds like an oxymoron to me. With all the news about pandemics and quarantines these days, I’m in even less of a mood for a good scare.

I’ve had to take some breaks from the news lately. Yet, I’ve also wanted to stay informed. It is possible to do both. Much of the news can be condensed to one half-hour segment. We don’t need to be immersed in all of the updates 24/7.

No time is a good time for a good scare. This isn’t a convenient time. But since we are in a crisis, there are some things you and I can do to balance the bad news.

  • Go on a media fast for the morning. Don’t start your day with the news, until you’ve had a chance to get your bearings for the morning.
  • Read some inspirational material before you begin your day. a paper version would be better since you won’t be distracted by news alerts.
  • Spend some time in prayer or meditation.
  • Text or call a friend and let them know how much you appreciate them.
  • Write a gratitude list.
  • If you’re working from home, get showered and dressed as if you were leaving for work.

There are many things we can’t control. But we can control how we start our day and what goes into our minds. Nix the scary stuff first thing in the morning.

Cartoon of a girl and a ghost

Categories
motivation

The Downside of Being a Morning Person

Cartoon of a happy, morning person waking up a man
© Copyright 2006 Kevin Spear

Most days, I can awake and  pop right out of bed on the first alarm. I know it’s annoying. I’ve been told that several times over the years by anyone who has lived under the same roof as me. I figure the snooze button is just delaying the inevitable. It’s not real sleep but a catatonic, zombie-like state between alarms. Besides, there are things to be done!

I’ve worked in creative departments over the years. It seems most creatives take pride in being night owls. That has made me a very annoying creature from 8:00 AM to noon. I thought I could help by being cheerful and enthusiastic. That is, until I read this proverb:

A loud and cheerful greeting early in the morning will be taken as a curse!

Proverbs 27:14 NLT

I still believe I get my best work out and am more productive the moment I first wake up. After all, I have gotten a lot out of Hal Elrod’s book, Miracle Morning.

I agree with the premise that starting the day with intentionality makes a difference. I love to write, have my devotions and exercise before it is time for the work day.

I am still going to get my day started out right. However, I resolve to be less obnoxious about it for the sake of others and for the safety of myself.

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morning people motivation

Start the Day With Intentionality

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

This week, I’ve been reading The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. It has already transformed the way I wake up in the morning. I have already had a morning ritual for many years. But he is showing me a more intentional way to master the morning. His enthusiasm, his story of overcoming adversity and his practical tips have captivated me. I’m sure I’ll share more about this book in another post.

The other day, I also read an article entitled, This 60-Second Habit Has Helped Put Me in a Better, More Productive Mood Each Morning by Scott Mautz at Inc.com. In it, Scott says he starts each day by taking a minute to ask himself the following every day:

  • What am I thankful for today?
  • Who might I thank today?
  • What one thing should I be thinking of today?

One theme through both reads stood out to me. How you begin your day is so crucial. It can make your day fantastic or a fiasco. Most of us don’t consider this truth. Instead we…

  • Wait until the last minute to wake up because we’re so tired
  • Wake up on autopilot
  • Rush through the morning because we’re running behind

It may surprise some people who know me, but when I was younger, I didn’t consider myself a morning person. I got up when I had to and rushed through the morning only to get stuck in rush hour traffic and watch my fellow commuters get angrier and more flustered by the minute.

Having kids cured me of that malady. When I had to get up with them, and when realized how my day began would affect their day. I realized getting up early to get some exercise, pray and have devotions would steer my day in the way I would prefer.

Let us know how you start your day in the comments. Do you start in a rush? Do you consider yourself a morning person or a night owl?

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cartoon

Snakes in the Shower

Cartoon of a woman in a shower. a snake is behind her. The caption reads, "That was the last year Heather let Eric put any exotic pets on his Christmas wish list."
Cartoon of a woman in a shower. a snake is behind her. The caption reads, “That was the last year Heather let Eric put any exotic pets on his Christmas wish list.”