Mindfulness teaches us that each moment is precious and never like the moment before or the moment ahead. It recognizes the beginning and ending of the smallest things, like even one breath cycle. We inhale, exhale . . . a beginning and an ending.
One of my practices in 2022 will be to begin and end my day thoughtfully. What happens in between is anyone’s guess, but I can start my mornings as I choose. And, regardless of the chaos of the day, I can wind down and close it out with gratitude.
Mornings
- Rise before sunrise
- Put on my comfy slippers and robe
- Take my blood pressure because I am currently wanting to track that
- My corrective exercises (this is the hardest one for me)
- Some sort of breathwork, meditation, or reflective writing
Evenings
- No wine or food at least an hour before I get into bed
- 1 glass of water or tea before I go up to bed
- Some sort of reflection of the day – gratitude or noticing
- In bed by 10 PM (this one is easy for me but I’ll throw it in anyway)
I can hear Bridget Jones in my head saying, “good plan,” and know the simplest things are often the hardest. But, that is also the beauty of a beginning. There’s always an ending and another beginning – every damn day.