I love a lot of personal development literature. After having a foundational testimony that Jesus Christ is the source of all light and truth, it is so wonderful to see the many places that light radiates from. There are so many people out there, doing good in the world, and they have a desire to share with others the tools that have helped strengthen them. I love seeing that, people doing good. To know that I am not the only one who has that desire. I've found that many of these people have walked a similar path to the one I have chosen, and so they have many things that they believe help along the way. And with the Light of Christ to guide, I can discern the ones that I need, and the ones that I don't, or that I may need to look at a little deeper.
One of the concepts I've come across lately is starting my day with movement and exercise, and uplifting thoughts. I have so many things that I want to accomplish, and have felt that I needed to do more to support myself if they are things that I really expect to do. And exercise is one of those things that people always says is energizing. I've never liked it much. Physical Education ranked at the bottom of my favorite subject list in school, even below math and chemistry. I've also never been a morning person. As much as I loved my scripture study class as a teenager, the early mornings were torturous. Same with work after I graduated high school. I never really was myself until at least 4 hours after I got up, or unless I got up after 10. So when I came across this concept again, of starting my day with it, it took me by surprise that I actually wanted to do it.
I decided that I needed that time, just for me. So three weeks ago, I set my alarm for 5:30 am, so I could get up and going before my daughter woke up, and started walking. It has had a phenominal evolution for me. Though I have always believed that beginning the day with prayer, scripture study and mediation to be important, it has been difficult for me to put into practice, and if I did, it often seemed superficial. But this is where the time has naturally led for me. Beginning each day with a few minutes of movement and deep breathing, to awaken my body and mind, then delving right into feelings of gratitude and joy to my Heavenly Father, myself, and everyone and everything around me is incredible. To ask Him to accompany me each morning in this special time for myself has become a necessity for my life. I need it. I cannot fully function without it, and I realize that I haven't been fully functioning before now. It is incredibly powerful, to have my mind, body and spirit all active and unified at the same time, engaged in communion with God. I have so much to be grateful for, and basking in that is an incredible high. I love it. And to not only be grateful for what I have, but what is to come, and the things I am learning.
It is amazing to me the transformation of my days since then. Not only my days, but of myself too. I want to be healthier, in every way and have started steps towards that. I begin my day with so much joy, and come home so rejuvenated and refreshed. I am so happy to see my daughter when she comes down the stairs, with a smile on her face, even if I didn't get everything that I wanted to done before she got up. I have more patience and understanding for her, and for my husband. And I always come home feeling this way. It is amazing to me.
I find so much joy in this, that I had to share. No matter how I feel when I wake up, I am compelled now to get outside and go. I cannot ignore it. I need it. The morning that were once a torture are now a great treasure to me. A blessed gift. God always finds a way to show me this. From flocks of geese urging each other and me on, to trees that look like watercolour quilts, fading from green into orange and then crimson. I find myself once again being able to connect with nature, in a way that has eluded me for several years. The gifts keep on coming, so there is always more to be grateful for. And so my joy is continually deepening. Even when I wake up, not wanting to get out of bed, or feeling frustrated or sad, the need to have my walk with God is overpowering. And I never, ever regret it.
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