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A recent letter states: "95% of the time I wake up with negativity. I say things like, 'Oh, it's morning-yuck. I'll just lie here for a little while...' I eventually get up but I'm grumpy and groggy, not enthused about the day ahead. Lesson 3 says that this comes from negative thinking-but I don't know what I'm thinking to make it this way. I don't know what to write down. Help!"
I know what you think! "Yuck - morning." J That is just one negative thought that you start your day with. I am willing to bet there are a few more. It starts with our inner dialogue and sometimes we are so accustomed to the things we think that we don't even "hear" ourselves. We are so used to what we say to ourselves that we don't recognize our negative thoughts. If we want to change this, we have to begin choosing a different dialogue, attitude; we may even need to fake it for a time. (Not all bad if it leads us to the place we want to be.)
Like many, you may just be in the habit of 'grumpy morning' - J Yes, it starts with inner dialog, but after many years of practicing 'grumpy morning' it just IS. Keep your expectations realistic...don't expect to get up singing with the birds, some people are just slow starters. A slow starter is Not wrong nor is a morning chirper. (My husband is a chirper, "Morning Honey, the birds are up- aren't you excited!?") Oh, Glory, he's happy - AGAIN! I make some wise crack, "I suppose the pigs are flying too." Or, "The cows milked themselves today?" and we laugh...our morning dance changes my state-a good thing.
I guess one thing I'd ask us to consider is our nature. People with anxiety disorders are thoughtful and introspective. Most of us just don't Jack-Rabbit into the day...which is fine. Perhaps the writer and others are Over analyzing and trying to be too perfectionistic about how one 'should' feel and act about morning? (Wouldn't that be a surprise-you and I over-analyzing!?)
We also need to take whatever variables we have control of into consideration: are we getting enough sleep, exercising, feeding our body, mind, and spirit with loving and respectful care?
I do not bound out of bed in the morning. I like total quiet and to be alone for the first 30 minutes of my day...I do not consider this "Wrong." When I get to the office I am often still in a quiet mood, I find uplifting music to be a great way to ease into day-energy. I start out listening to quiet jazz, then move on to IL DIVO, Juan Quintero (guitar!), Rod Stewart, John Mayer, The Platters... I find music makes my soul sing--music soothes and invigorates me.
Maybe you don't have to write down anything, maybe it would be enough to think of yourself as a quiet starter? If you take whatever pressure you are putting on yourself off-you might just say, "Gooooood Morning!"
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