Small Devotions: Starting the Day

I am not a morning person. There is no way to adequately describe how much I am not a morning person. I just don’t function well in the morning, regardless of how much sleep I’ve had, no matter how well I slept. Morning is confusing and strange and I would really prefer to opt out of it. However, as I have a day job which requires me to be available to clients during business hours, morning is something I must deal with, and attempt to do so with a modicum of grace, and a minimum of grumbling.

Most days, I do not have to set an alarm; I can trust that I am going to wake up when I need to, within a ten minute range, plus or minus. On mornings when I must be up at a specific time, I set two alarms. If I have to be up at, say, 7:30, I set a gentle sound (the Harp ringtone in iPhone—I’ve repurposed my old phone as my bedside alarm clock and jukebox) for 7:15, and then a more insistent ringtone at 7:30. I use Bell Tower for the second, because while it’s difficult to ignore, but it’s not unpleasant or startling.

Setting two alarms gives my brain time to process the idea that it’s time to get up. That may sound strange to people who bounce out of bed like solar-powered bunnies, but it takes me a while to get from the concept to the reality. The first alarm gently notifies my brain that the day will begin shortly, so that, by the time the second alarm goes off, I’m not completely confused as to why my alarm is going off.

The first ten minutes of the day are the most difficult. There are complicated things, like trying to figure out where the floor is, how my feet work so I can walk to my closet, and how to put on my bathrobe and slippers. (I told you—I really am not a morning person.) I meander around a bit, and drink a full glass of water. The oxygen and hydration help shake my body loose from sleep, and after five or ten minutes, my brain has finally caught up with my body, and I am able to get on with things.

I have this posted on the wall of my bedroom:

The photo is one I took when visiting Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland, so it calls to mind pleasant memories, which is a good start to the day.

I breathe in, raise my arms, and recite the verse. This helps me remember that I have a variety of energies available to me as I move through my day, and that I can draw on those energies as needed.

I’m still not necessarily happy about being awake, but I feel better about the fact that I am awake, and it does set a positive tone for the day. And some days need all the help they can get in this regard.

I hope this inspires you to find a way to make the first minutes of your day more pleasant!