Here’s the true secret of life: We mostly do everything over and over. In the morning, we let the dogs out, make coffee, read the paper, help whoever is around get ready for the day. We do our work.

In the afternoon, if we have left, we come home, put down our keys and satchels, let the dogs out, take off constrictive clothing, make a drink or put water on for tea, toast the leftover bit of scone. I love ritual and repetition. Without them, I would be a balloon with a slow leak.

~ Anne Lamott, Stitches: A Handbook of Meaning, Hope, and Repair, 82

 

My own routine is one variation of Lamott’s, but a routine nonetheless. If I deviate too far from this ritual, things feel a bit “off,” out of kilter.

  • Get up, wash face; dress
  • Make breakfast
  • Time of meditation with Bible and gratitude book
  • Begin my work . . . exercise, mini-walks follow

 

 

Morning Ablution

Origin of ablution: Late Middle English: from Latin ablutio(n-), from abluere, from ab- ‘away’ + luere ‘wash’. The original use was as a term in chemistry and alchemy meaning ‘purification by using liquids’, hence ‘purification of the body by washing’ (mid 16th century).

 

 

Benefits of Your Routine, according to the hello peaceful mind website

You will . . .

  1. Feel less stress.
  2. Gain time.
  3. Be less likely to forget something.
  4. Take better care of yourself.
  5. Eat better in the morning

 

Huffington Post article adds other benefits including exercise by stretching, taking a shower, meditation, and writing morning pages, however you define that.

 

Bonus    

Click here for a more intellectual approach to your morning routine, including the wisdom of Ben Franklin and Victor Hugo’s strange practice.

 

The Power of Habit

We underestimate the power of habit while we’re young, and we underestimate the grace of it.

~   Jens Christian GrØndahl   Often I Am Happy

 

 


 

What is your morning routine?

What tips can you add to the ones listed here?

Contemplating the last quote, how would you explain the “grace” of habit?