morning rituals

Morning rituals are an essential part of living-  finding food and drink, bathing, and caring for oneself 
and others. More complex rituals like meditation, prayer, and movement are intrinsic to tribal,
spiritual, religious, and so many other communities throughout the world.

I find that I look forward to my own morning rituals; making coffee, feeding our dogs and my renewed practice of sketching or coloring, or quickly painting in the morning. I have a basket of drugstore magic markers on the kitchen 
table with a stack of coloring books, and a sketch book, and some paints, right there, and easily accessible. 

Sometimes while I'm doodling I find that I remember dreams, or find inspiration for a larger painting, 
or some other idea begins to bubble up. Other times I sit in nothingness with the markers or the paints
and my mind is clear, and my day begins, and I am present. 

Some days my phone is next to me and the texts and emails are coming in one after the other and my mind
goes to my calendar and it's more supportive to get on with my day, even though I know staying with the drawing would be the more mindful thing to do. 

Other days I love to paint all day. 
I invite you to try a morning practice, see what happens. 
Let me know!

The coloring book above is:
Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book
by Johanna Basford