Morning Ritual: Stage One

Sometimes all one really needs is a bit of courage to take that first step; however, it is of utmost importance that when one decides to claim that courage, one holds on to that courage for that courage is yours and yours alone to keep and use . . . whenever and wherever needed :)

~jan hale

Do you start each day out differently or the same way?  In other words, do you have a certain ritual for starting off your (let's say) Monday and a different ritual for the rest of the days of the week?  Do you completely change things up on the weekends or while on vacation ...what do you do?

I like to keep things simple so I don't have to spend much time thinking about what to do, yet I also enjoy changing things up a bit so as not to get bored, too automatic so I lose focus on the big picture ...why am I doing this in the first place.

I like to start my day off slowly ...quietly and alone so the first thing I do is meditate.  Nothing complicated and too serious. 

STAGE ONE:  Morning Ritual

1. Stretch while still in bed.
2. Crank up my bed to an incline position (head and feet).  Use pillows if you don't have an electric bed.
3. Lay in bed for 15 minutes (yep I use a timer) instructing my angels as to any particular needs for the day.

Note:  This morning ritual (more than any other daily ritual) was designed as a gift I give to myself.  I'm not a 'morning person' and need special incentive to get my body moving when I first wake.  Having 15 minutes 'more' in bed is heavenly plus my angels need to be given their assignments for the day or else they'll get into all sorts of trouble ...especially the smallest one.

One Shot Was All I Asked For

It was a typical Monday morning much like any other, and the wet grass beneath my feet felt like a nuisance which was an odd way for me to be feeling knowing how much we needed the rain from the night before.  Nonetheless, walking on this particular cool and damp morning, I felt tired, empty and down ...wondering what exciting and positive thing lay ahead for me today.  Other than my walk, I had no plan for the day which I feel certain was responsible for my 'mood'.  No adventures and nothing exciting to look forward to. 

Boy how my life has changed from that day.

I attempted to shrug-off the blah feeling I was experiencing by walking toward the lake, but my moodiness just wouldn't let up on me.  So I decided to finish up my walk and get home as quick as I could.  The thought of my warm, dry studio and a cup of hot lavender tea made me anxious and hopeful I could still turn this day around.

Then I heard a cracking noise off to my right and looked over to the grassy area under the big oak tree.  There was something there  ...a small rabbit lay on the grass facing away from me.  I thought I must get a picture of this little creature to add to my blog.  Neither of us moved.  Then I slowly reached for my camera and hoping the bunny wouldn't be startled off before I could get the shot.  And as if he understood, the bunny suddenly turned to face me.  What a pose ...what a gift!

About now I wasn't breathing (much), but I remember how excited I felt.  My heart was beating a bit faster as I steadied my hands and thought ...let the bunny be still for just one shot and I'll be happy enough.

It worked and the rest is history!

Linking up at: My Romantic Home

 

Eleven Tiny Ducklings Up From The Lake

Each year I look forward to catching a glimpse of the babies.  This particular crisp and cool morning I was gifted by a sighting ...my first for this year.  The ducklings are so small that at first I thought they were little birds, but then when I saw them all marching in a row behind the adults I instantly knew they were ducklings.  I grabbed my camera and carefully got as close as possible.  Because they are so small though they are a bit harder to see in the grass.

There are eleven in this group and since the ducks share baby sitting duty among their groups, no way of knowing how many (if any) belong to this pair.  There were actually a pair plus an additional drake (male) so Uncle Henry must have decided to tag along since there was such a large group to 'watch' today.

The ducklings are good about staying together and follow the adults without any visible prodding; however, there are always ...always a couple of ducklings that lag behind do'n their own thing.  Those are the little ones I worry most about.

I like the way Mr. Bird, on the left side of the photo, is watching in disbelief ...almost as if wondering what are these tiny squeaking creatures so near to his feeder.