Good morning!

“There is nothing good about this morning!” These are thoughts, I’m sure, is expressed at times by fellow humans, or even thought and left there. Is it true that this is not a good morning? I’m not too sure about that!

According to www.etymonline.com ‘Good Morning’ was seen as the “first part of the day”, or the time just before sunrise. Used as an adjective from the 1530s, and as a greeting by 1895.

Whether this day started as a good one or not, has more to do with what is happening internally, than what is actually going on around us. Have you ever heard of the saying by Charles R Swindoll: “Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.” You might be thinking ‘yes, yes (or ja, ja if you’re South African) I’ve heard it all before’, or, ‘what is your point?’

Here’s my point: – what your morning routine looks like has a lot to do with how cheerful your ‘good morning’ and the rest of your day is going to be.

What is the first thing you do when you open your eyes in the morning? I mean, after killing the alarm for the rude awaking from your precious slumber?

Please allow me to venture a couple of guesses:

You pick up your phone (no problem there). What you do next might have a bigger impact on your morning and day that you think:

1. You look at the weather. The weather report informs you that it is going to be a sunny day. “Oh yay! A great day for the picnic we’ve been planning.” Your mood lifts. If you were planning to catch up on your laundry and rain is looming, you might feel that your spirit is a little damp (pun intended).
2. You go onto social media to see how many likes or new followers you have. There is a lot to be said about the negative impact of social media on our self-esteem.
3. You see what is newsworthy that you missed while you were in dreamland. Chances are you’ll find yourself quickly in a space of “this world is going for the dogs” – not the best way to start you day, don’t you think?
4. Check-in with family, like parents or siblings. This simple act let’s them know that you thought of them, are doing well, and helps with staying in touch.
5. Read and share spiritual messages to think about and reflect on daily. This has been my go-to start to my day for the last couple of years, and has made a huge positive impact and difference.

Whatever your morning routine looks like, start it with positive and uplifting input, and before you know it your “grumpy’ good morning will make way for a sunny ‘good morning’.

Who knows… Today’s cheerful ‘good morning’ might spill over into a great week; or a month, or even your very best year yet – all because you started this morning on the right thought, uh I mean foot.