A Positive Wayto Start the Day

A Positive WayTo Start The Day

One of the most powerful ways you can set your life up for positivity, happiness and fulfillment is to have a set of daily practices that support your body, mind and spirit in positive ways.

A simple way to get your day off to a positive start is to have a morning ritual. Having rituals and routines helps us to make sure that the things that are important to us get done - consistently - without being crowded out by the random demands and challenges that arise on a day-to-day basis.

A great start to a morning ritual is to practice a short yet powerful meditation before you get out of bed.

The loving-kindness meditation (also known as metta meditation) is perfect for this situation. It's easy to remember, quick to do, and powerful in its many benefits.

The benefits of this meditation include feeling…

greater calm and contentment

more positive feelings towards yourself and others

less irritable and angry, and

less anxious and worried.

The goal of loving kindness meditation is to cultivate kindness and compassion to ourselves and others.

Loving-kindness meditation has four “healing” elements: intention, attention, emotion and connection.“Boosting” our intention (“may you be happy”) gives energy and meaning to our lives. The focused attention during the exercise calms our mind ( by repeatedly returning to the sentences).

Over time, this meditation can build our happiness and our connection to others, help us to feel less alone and less worried, and also help to develop a positive outlook on life.

EXERCISE

This loving kindness meditation is all about adopting a positive and compassionate attitude to yourself and others.

You can do this meditation anytime, anywhere. Practicing it at the beginning of the day before you get out of bed is a good way to start your day with a positive intention.

When you do this, try to let go of any expectations about how you should feel during the meditation, the aim is to focus on the wish and intention.

All you need to do is place your attention onto your heart.

Bring to mind someone you care about.

Then wish them well, either in your mind or out loud…

May you be healthy in body and mind.
May you be happy and fulfilled.

May you be safe from dangers.
May you live in peace.

Repeat this slowly and deliberately a few times. Really focus on the words and your intention behind your well wishes.

Then, when you feel you have fully expressed your well wishes, shift your focus to yourself and wish yourself well too…

May I be healthy in body and mind.
May I be happy and fulfilled.

May I be safe from dangers.
May I live in peace.

Again, repeat this until you feel you have fully expressed your well wishes.

If it makes it easier, you can always come up with your own sentences if you'd like to.

I invite you to practice this for a week and see how you feel - both on the days you practice it as well as the cumulative effect after doing it regularly for a week.

I'm sure you will feel a positive difference to your mood and outlook.

UPLIFT Program