I spoke to a friend who commented she didn't comment because she felt any comment she made about her morning routine of petting, feeding, and loving her kitten would appear crazy to others. I said I didn't think so. What do the rest of you think?
One reason for participating in a morning routine class is my list of what I want to accomplish in the morning is long. It often feels overwhelming. I want to write, meditate, walk, exercise, read my emails, read the paper, prepare and eat breakfast. Each item begs to be first!
One might say I should pick a priority. In a funny sort of way, hearing that the word priority is singular helped me deal with this problem. I'll explain more next week.
What do you do first in the morning? What do you want to do?
Looking forward to your input &
Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
Hi, Nicky! I usually have a mundane routine - stay in pajamas until I've had coffee and read the paper and do the puzzles. Then I eat and get dressed. Through Christmas I'll read the Advent booklet before I get up, so that is my spiritual thing for the season. (The booklet is about Hope.) So far I like it this way!
ReplyDeleteThanks fluteyogi. Great to hear from you. I'm glad you mentioned pajamas. I love to stay in PJ's as long as I can - I'm sitting here right now in my red flannels!
DeleteI appreciate hearing that you have a spiritual "thing" for each season. I like that idea and also that you do that before you even get out of bed.
And I like that after you thought about all this you decided you like it - with the caveat of "so far". You are tuned into impermanence which is such a helpful way to think.
Thanks so much for your message - enjoy the Hope of Advent.
Decided to reply by email since my comment last week didn’t reach you. Wonder if that’s why you didn’t get any others? Don’t remember all of what I said but know I mentioned that I have different routines depending on the day of the week and how mornings are evolving since we installed Amazon Eco.
ReplyDeleteWas nice hearing that you read the paper as we stopped getting it about 3 months ago. It has been a relief not having it since I felt obligated to get my money’s worth by scanning the whole thing. That freed up my morning routine.
So good to hear from you - wonder what happened to your comment last week. Glad you persisted - I got a comment today so perhaps it is working though I am happy to paste your responses in here.
DeleteI am curious about Amazon Eco - have no idea what that is! Educate me please.
Interesting about not having a paper feeling a relief. Since my partner reads practically every word of two papers I can justify it however, I have started subscribing to the Sunday NY Times. I love it but it does feel like a burden to read some Sundays. Sometimes I end up reading it all week. I wonder how much longer there will even be a paper.
So fun to be in contact with you this way!
Since I am the kitten woman, I thought I would reply. It is not so much I thought people would think it crazy to have a routine based around eight month old Burmese, Rex, as I thought the utter extravagance of the adoration might seem over the top.
ReplyDeleteWhen I lost my sixteen year cat, Tango, in March, mornings became sad and lonely affairs. The joy of waking to Tango and caring for him and focusing on him was gone. Even when my partner would come for the weekend, I didn't feel less lonely, as the two of us focused so much on Tango.
Rob on a Friday night: Tango, how was your day?
Karen as Tango: It was bad, Rob. Mom went to yoga and then went out to lunch with someone. She was gone for hours.
Rob: Oh, Tango, that's terrible. She doesn't care anything for you, does she?
Karen as Tango: No, Rob, she hates me.
Rob: You come here and sit on my lap, Tango. You know I love you.
In June I got beautiful, funny, playful, affectionate Rex. He sleeps under the covers spooned against my body or slides up to stretch out with his head on the pillow beside mine or with his head in my neck or even on my cheek. When we wake, he meows over and over like a sleepy baby, and I kiss his face all about. We snuggle and meow and kiss for awhile, then rush to the kitchen, where he bolts his food. I give him fresh water and clean his litter box. These cold days he goes in front of a heat register while I grind coffee, then sits on my lap as I drink the coffee, eat a chocolate or two, check emails, read the paper, and eat some breakfast. I do a great deal more crooning and kissing.
I love your words "utter extravagance of the adoration"
Deleteand how you describe what you mean.
As a non pet owner I can only imagine the unconditional love you experience. Thank you for helping my imagination grow.
I am envious of your kitten-petting friend, that sounds like a lovely way to start your day!. My routine consists of doing my stretches, reading the paper while eating breakfast, drinking coffee while checking email/Facebook. Then I lose focus. I would like to write, meditate, walk. Can you share any tips from the classes?
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you, I thought a lot of people would feel like you did Margaret Jane.
DeleteI know what you mean about losing focus - easy to do when there is so much available. I will be sharing more from class but for now will give you a sneak peak: 10-10-5. She suggests we start the morning with 10 minutes of meditating, 10 minutes of free flow writing and then 5 minutes total to list 2 things you feel thankful for that day, 2 things you are worried or afraid of right now and then one thing that you will offer today. Things like offering a smile, a kindness, it doesn't have to be a huge thing.
She says for now to set a timer and stick with it. Give it a try and see what you think! Thanks again for reading.
Of course I didn't think the routine of kitty care was crazy at all! I know what you mean about having lots of things to do in the morning and feeling like there's not enough time. That's one reason I try to make any appointments in town much later in the morning. I do not know how I used to get ready for work, outside the home. I really cherish the time I have...and it seems to go by more quickly every year.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading and commenting!
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