Do you ever have days that feel crazy?

And then when the pressure subsides a little, it’s as if your vision clears-up and you can see the things that you’ve been ignoring in the hustle and hurry?

Feeling the chaos of a given day may push us to move and get things done, but it seems there is always a price for buying into that kind of motivation. It’s that feeling of pseudo-productivity when obeying a compulsive thought, a fear, a rush to fix something or to put out an unexpected “fire.”  In the long run, a string of days running on that mental track can siphon our feeling of being in charge of our life, and ultimately our sense of peace.  And that is a high price to pay for dis tractability.

Getting to a peaceful state of mind, on purpose, first thing in the day, can set us up for strings of delightful, serendipitous and productive days that help us to steer our own ship and enjoy life in the process.

What do you do to claim peace at the beginning of the day?

A few centering habits I love are:

• reading scripture, slowly and with attention to the profound symbolism that connects me to God
• showering or soaking in an Epsom salt bath
• more self-care with a simple hairstyle and simple make-up
• praying; offering gratitude and asking for God’s will to be done in the new day before me
• moving; walking with friends or on the treadmill or exercising with a good DVD
• eating something nutritious; a smoothie with protein, eggs, oatmeal, multi-grain cereal, etc.
• making our bed and tidying our room; feels like cleaning the inner vessel before moving out into the rest of the world, and helps me to know I have a peaceful place to return when the day is over
• checking my planner to see what appointments or events have been planned

Driving, not being driven.  Choosing, not playing the victim.  Deciding, not being blown by the wind.  Claiming, not waiting.

I wish you many days of peace my friend.

Love,

Jacque