That First Day of School Feeling…
Welcome back!
Even though most of you (except our teacher friends) are not actually back to school there is something about September that holds the promise of new starts. We all have those childhood memories of new clothes and backpacks and the anticipation that this year anything could happen. Imagine how wonderful if we could cultivate this feeling every day. But, perhaps already with the first week of school clocked in and vacation over, routine kicks in and the freshness begins to fade. We get caught up in the grind; the stress of busy traffic, the lunches that need to be packed, the schedules that you need an urban planner to organize. And before we know it, we’re stuck on “the hamster wheel.”
But I want to put it out to all of you (and to myself) let’s hold on to some of that optimism and first day excitement. When you wake up, instead of groaning about the need for more sleep, or stressing about what you have to do, take a pause, and look out at your day at the true miracle it really is. Your body and mind have refreshed themselves while you slept, let’s not be so quick to cram them with yesterday’s stale leftovers. Take just a moment to be truly present. Breathe, perhaps remember how it felt that first day of school, when you had that excited anything can happen feeling. Give your self this gift every day. Say something like, “Hey, it’s a new day, wow, here I am again, it looks the same, but anything can happen.” This feeling may not last long. By the time you hit the shower, the same thoughts and worries you had yesterday may come crowding back. And that’s ok, perfectly ok. Because even just that short pause, that break of awareness will allow a little space for new choices, insights and surprises. Keep practicing this, and you will begin to see subtle shifts. You might find that thoughts of possibility weave into your morning routine. You might find yourself thinking first day of school thoughts like, “Maybe this year’s conference will be in Hawaii,” or “Maybe I’ll get a bonus,” or even, “This is the year that little red-haired girl is going to talk to me.” (Thank-you Charlie Brown.)
And if you are wondering, “Sounds good,but why would I dd this?” Quite simply, because it feels food. It feels better to choose better thoughts. And when we start reaching for better thoughts, we influence how our day goes, and actually attract situations that match them. (And that’s another post.)
Did you have a wonderful summer? I’m sure you did. I just had the best time with my girls, in what I deemed the summer of no agenda. We headed to the cottage in the County when we felt like it, swimming and reading and eating, and then back to the city for the occasional festival or touristy delight. And now I am excited at the possibilities the fall will bring.
Blessings to you!
xo Judy
Quotes for Your Morning:
“Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.”
― Meister Eckhart
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
Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending. – Maria Robinson