"You are the first person you speak to in the morning."
I don't know why I find this idea so darn appealing, but the minute I heard Cleo Wade utter these words from the front of the room, I scribbled them down.
And I really thought about it.
Hmm...
And I really thought about it.
Hmm...
When I open my eyes in the morning...it's my voice that pops into my head. First.
Which makes me the most powerful mood setter of my day.
Personally, I think this is the equivalent of an intense, 6 am work-out followed by a nutrient-packed smoothie for my body. Except it's self-care directed at my soul.
Which makes me the most powerful mood setter of my day.
Personally, I think this is the equivalent of an intense, 6 am work-out followed by a nutrient-packed smoothie for my body. Except it's self-care directed at my soul.
So of course, I find myself searching for my morning voice.
Is it tinged with hurriedness, a little anxiety?
Or is it light and encouraging?
Wake up every morning and say to yourself,
"I made it here from where I started, and I am so proud of that."
She says that when we start the morning like this, we bless ourselves. We're filling ourselves up with the kind of love that keeps us replenished and moving forward with a little bounce in our step.
So this is what I hope.
This morning, I hope you have an inner voice that adores all your efforts. I hope you have a voice that loves how you keep showing up, no matter what, and a voice that soothes you when you start to get judgmental with yourself.
"I made it here from where I started, and I am so proud of that."
She says that when we start the morning like this, we bless ourselves. We're filling ourselves up with the kind of love that keeps us replenished and moving forward with a little bounce in our step.
So this is what I hope.
This morning, I hope you have an inner voice that adores all your efforts. I hope you have a voice that loves how you keep showing up, no matter what, and a voice that soothes you when you start to get judgmental with yourself.
Tomorrow when you open your eyes, please resist the urge to reach for your phone, or hop out of bed in one mindless burst of energy.
And instead, be still.
Be curious about your voice.
How does it make you feel?
27 comments:
Yes! It's about being mindful and paying attention. I've been a little better about this first thing in the morning, but I still reach for my phone and/or laptop way too soon. I do have to get my cats fed right away (they're "starving" in the morning!) and start brewing my coffee, but I need to work on just sitting in quiet reflection before diving into social media and emails.
I love the thought of this! And I do know that we are our biggest champion:)
It helps me feel affirmed. It's how I live. I begin the day with silence and meditation and perfect peace. On a good day, my voice quiets my mind and silently says 'yahweh' which is the sacred word I use for centering prayer. Beautiful encouragement here today, Leslie. We all need the reminders. :)
What a wonderful idea. I have always thought each new day was a new beginning, filled with promise. What better person to encourage and remind me of that than me! You always find such inspirational pieces of information for us, thank you.
Karen
I love this Leslie! I really need to do this. Lately it seems my days start with a list of things that I need to get done, which then leads to worry, and then frustration with our current circumstances.
My mother in law always said when I asked her how she was feeling (she lived to be 98 1/2), "better than the alternative". She always looked at the positive things in her life.
TIRED.......I have a SOFT TIRED VOICE in the MORNING!I usually am speaking to WINSTON to tell him to GO GO so I can walk!!!!
Than we pick up the PIG in the LIVINGROOM who has already heard us and is on his feet joining the MARCH to the kitchen.Food for these two first before anything and sometimes the CAT will be waiting too.Than MY COFFEE...........
I do not talk to myself MUCH..........SHOULD I?
Those morning thoughts really can set the mood for the day. I usually wake up a couple minutes before my alarm goes off each morning and my most common thought is, "Can I fall back to sleep for just a couple minutes?" Actually, I do use those few minutes to think about the day but I think tomorrow I will try your approach. You always give me things to think about. Enjoy your weekend!
Shelley
Hi Shelley,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Boy, I remember those years well--and I know how busy and hectic your mornings are right now with your boys being at those ages...I totally relate to your first thought about going back to sleep :) ha!
The way I understood Cleo Wade was that simply being aware of our inner voice --and how we talk to ourselves--could be a game-changer. Whether in the morning or even in the car during the day.
It was something I hadn't really paid attention to, which is why I wrote the post.
And I'm glad it gave you something to think about.
xo,
Leslie
Elizabeth,
I had to smile as I read your description of your first actions in the morning. I could just see you leading your little crew to their food bowls and them tottering behind you. Such a sweet picture.
As far as your question goes, I'm not sure I was very clear in my post. There is no right or wrong, the idea was to simply be aware of our inner voice, how we talk to ourselves. It sounds like you have more of a quiet mind first thing in the morning, waking slowly and maybe with soft, tired INNER voice as well.
That sounds like a nice voice to me.
xo
Leslie
I love your view on each new day being a new beginning. And I'm so glad you found something in this post you could relate to Karen.
I'm always grateful when you stop by.
xo
Leslie
I'm like you Melanie. I tend to jump into things right when I'm awake. On good mornings I start with a little prayer/meditation, but other mornings I've got my phone in my hand while I make coffee. But you what? I think it's so important that we not judge ourselves. I think that's what Cleo Wade was getting at...that we need to focus on HOW we treat ourselves--what our inner voice is like, especially on our crazy days.
And so I've been trying to catch myself early in the morning but also throughout my day too.
You're right. it is a form of mindfulness.
thanks so much for sharing with me, I really appreciate it.
xo
Leslie
I know what you mean Janet. It's a nice little reminder for us, that we can be our own inner cheerleader!
It's very different than the way I grew up talking to myself. I've always been my own worst critic, maybe that's why this concept felt so refreshing to me.
I'm so glad you like it too.
xo
Leslie
Oh! How true! I guess I never thought of it that way. How many times do we wake up and knock ourselves down for one reason or another?! I will definitely make my "first voice" my "be good to me and others" voice from here on out. GREAT post- xo Diana
Leslie, I always appreciate when you share your wisdom! I think this is a powerful statement. And yes, if we live with gratitude, happiness seems to follow. Enjoy your week ahead.
Hi Leslie,
Mornings are a challenge, I have to admit. That voice in my head first thing in the morning is already on the autobahn to figuring out which work problems will be the worst, and wishing it was a 5-day weekend and 2-day work week rather than the other way around. I use pinterest a lot in the morning with my coffee to remind myself of all the lovely parts of life that are out there waiting for me. And self-directed humour. Why be moody when you can shake your booty is a favourite. This growing up business is certainly a journey. I can't wait to see how we all turn out. xx Nancy
Hope all went well
Your posts are always so thought provoking Leslie. I tend to wake up around 5:30 full of ideas and inspiration. Now do I get all of that accomplished not usually!! Love your approach...
Hi, I was just thinking about you this morning. I hope all is well—hopefully we can connect soon. This post was exactly what I needed. My morning voice this thursday overcast morning was not so pleasant, lol. Self love is so important, we are always our biggest critic. Have a great day today!
Anastasia
Yes! Wise words and so true xx
So true! And I do find that what I say to myself really affects my mood for the day.
Oh, I so needed to read this today !!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for being so insightful.
Hey Leslie,
I hope you are taking time off to enjoy summer.
I go back and reread your blog posts, when I am missing current posts. Please do what feels good for you.
All the best, Robin
I hope everything is going well in your life. I miss your blog posts. I hope you've enjoyed a wonderful summer.
xo,
Karen
I stumbled across this post while looking for a Halloween post that I followed from Pinterest and I had to stop and thank you for sharing. I’d never thought about this before. About how the first voice I hear in the morning tells me “you need to do this and this and this and this...”. No surprise then that I’m all set for a day of rush, rush, rush, and racing through a (self-imposed) To Do list. This is such a powerful and important message; I feel a printable coming on. Thank you again! Now...off to find that Voodoo Princess table centre. Sue ~ The Witch at OneandSeventy
Hello. I hope you are well and happy.
Thinking abouts you, miss your posts.
Much love, Vikki XX
I think of you often and wonder what you are up to. I miss your posts and your voice. I hope that you are well Leslie.
Oh my that spoke to my heart.. thank you for penning them down .. yes, guard in front of my mouth, i dont have to have the last word either, or prove I'm right, always. X Jean from Sydney
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