A New Awakening

Let me give you an example of my typical Monday morning: Usually, I wake up without an alarm (yes, I'm a morning person!). When I'm not being mindful, within seconds, I'm heading to the bathroom to do my business while thinking about my husband, my son, my to-do list, my clients, what I want to eat, what I should eat, how much weight I gained this past weekend, whether I want to work out or go to yoga, what I'll write today, what errands I have to run, how my parents are feeling, and how tired I am — all this before I've even brushed my teeth!

Yes, in two to three minutes (or 180 seconds, max) I have run through the gamut of perpetual worries and obsessions in my head (I'm pretty sure that most of you, girlfriends, can relate to this). Often, these runaway thoughts leave me feeling anxious before I've even had my first sip of coffee, setting me up for a bummer day.

When I am being deliberately mindful, my day begins much differently. I wake up without an alarm and notice that I'm awake. I remain still for a few seconds, and then I carefully swing my legs over the side of the bed and rise. I know that I am doing this, though my mind may struggle a bit to focus. I'm aware of my internal resistance, my desire to just be on autopilot, but I intentionally stay present. I can feel my body in every movement, how my muscles tense and relax under my skin, how rested I am, the state of my mood. Notice, notice, notice. Check, check, check.

Next, I deliberately walk across the room, feeling the cushiness of the carpet under my bare toes. I stand for a moment, look out the window, and take in the sunrise — my favorite part of the morning. I stop and breathe. Then I proceed into the bathroom, noticing the different feel of the cool tiles against my bare soles, pausing for a moment, letting myself be still and balanced.

What distinguishes the first scenario from the second is simple awareness or noticing. I haven't done anything extra, haven't used up any more minutes, yet somehow, it feels as if I've gained time.

And you can do it too. Noticing in this deliberate way may seem overwhelming at first. You will likely find that your mind wants to do its own thing. But with continued practice, setting an intention of noticing your routine at the start of your day can have a tremendously positive impact on your mood and help you stay focused on the tasks ahead. Try it, and then observe how you feel. More energized, awake, present? There will be plenty of opportunities for your mind to wander, but if you can do just this one thing — first thing — you'll be amazed at how much clarity and optimism you can muster before that first cup of coffee.

Brusha, Brusha, Brusha

Of all the mundane tasks in my day, I find brushing my teeth to be the most tedious. (Don't tell my hygienist.) Maybe it's because I rarely skip a session, and all that repetition makes it easy to be mindless rather than fully present and in the moment.

Think about it. Most of us brush our teeth 365 days a year, twice a day, for about two to three minutes a day — the length of time you need to sing the alphabet to yourself twice. I call that a devotion. When you repeat something that frequently, mindfully or not, you have created a ritual of sorts, one you can easily use as an anchor to start your day right.

Girlfriends, brushing your teeth is an opportunity to stop your mind from wandering or ruminating. It's important for your hygiene and for your overall physical health and well-being. Why not take the opportunity to apply mindful awareness to each step of the process, focusing your attention on the feel of your brush, the swirl of the soft bristles against your gums, and the taste of the toothpaste against your tongue? Take in a full, deep breath. Run your tongue slowly along your now-clean teeth. Stay present.

If your mind wanders, you can always bring your focus back to the task at hand without judgment. These few minutes are precious. There will be plenty of time for other thoughts or even obsessions. When you start going down that road, return to the present moment — even if it takes one hundred tries.

You can even look at brushing your teeth as a spiritual opportunity. Sounds crazy, right? But what if you considered this morning ritual a chance to brush away things you've said in anger or frustration, let go of yesterday's mindless words, and make way for those you have yet to speak? It casts a whole new light on the experience, doesn't it?

Wake Up and Smell the Coffee. No, Really Smell It

What's your typical morning routine? Maybe you wake up at seven, slog out of bed (unless you're one of those energetic morning types like me), and eventually wend your way to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. Or maybe...