Opening to the new enriches each moment.
Each day, each moment, you hold much more power in your hands than you probably realize.
For example, every morning you make a choice about how you’ll greet your new day.
Choosing to open up to the new is an enriching decision that you have the power to make in every single moment of your life. How often do you actually give yourself that gift, though?
I Don’t Have Enough Time
It’s no small thing, this decision to open. And it’s not always an easy thing, either.
Your time is limited. There simply isn’t room for everything in the hours we have. But every time you make the choice to open to the new, you give yourself the gift of a new beginning.
Here’s the thing, though: the reality is that opening to something new requires you to let go of something else. That’s part of the rhythm of living. So, when you make conscious choices about what you open to and what you let go of, you are shaping your time in a whole new way.
Opening to the New – Set the Stage for Success
What if you chose to set the tone for your day with your first hour? You consciously create this gift for yourself by making space for the new day as you let go of the night. You step forward powerfully and planfully. But how do you make that happen?
Well, for starters there are lots of concrete things you can do to set your day. For example, the night before you might:
- Make your lunch,
- Set the table for breakfast,
- Lay out clothes for the day, and
- Have a planned ritual for waking up.
Routines and Rituals
There are two categories of activities that help you set the stage — routines and rituals.
Routines involve activities that are almost automatic. These are helpful when you may not be fully awake. They help you save time and create space.
Rituals require mindful attention. Here’s where you truly open to the new and deepen your experience of your moments. Meditating and writing are excellent tools for invoking the power of ritual and bringing it to your morning moments.
Opening Your Heart to Your Day
The popular TV show from several years ago, “Friday Night Lights,” had a motto that I borrow here. As the team in the show prepared for a game, they’d say, in unison, “Clear Eyes Full Hearts Can’t Lose.”
Your time success is founded on your time choices, and your time choices are enhanced immeasurably by your vision and the fullness of your heart. Creating a day that starts from a grounded and expansive place is one of the best gifts going.
So I invite you to give this a try today. Open your day the heart-based way, and here’s to becoming your own time expert, starting now.
Your day is yours…
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Dear Paula, thank you for your post; you know how your ideas on morning rituals have really helped me over the years. You have written about rituals for the close of the day before: this is where I have trouble. I could do just one more thing…. I have to get this done today (but do I really have to)? I’d be interested if you can share some ways to prepare for the “nighttime ritual” much as you have for the “morning ritual.” All best!
Hi David – Thanks for stopping by.
I think that’s an excellent idea and one that I am happy to follow up on. I’ve got a few posts that I’m working on at the moment but will take up your suggestion and let it percolate.
So, stay tuned!
Best,
Paula