The anchor of my spiritual life is a morning practice I’ve been tending for years. It has taken many different shapes over time—sometimes just a few minutes, other times more extended. Even when I was rushing off to work at the hospital, I always made sure to pause, breathe, ground, and listen, if only for five minutes.
People often ask me what I actually do. I share this not so you’ll copy it step for step, but so you might reflect on what could be meaningful for you as you begin your own day with intention.
Here’s a snapshot of my practice:
Monk Manual journaling – I start with this daily journal, where I note my top priorities and “to-do’s,” three things I’m grateful for, one thing I’m looking forward to, and one way I can serve others. I also review the previous day, writing down highlights as well as anything that left me unsettled.
Reading wisdom – I often read a short passage from the Tao Te Ching—twice. Or, I may read some pages from a book with a spiritual theme. Then I reflect on what relevance the material might have for me today. If I have time, I’ll often read some more after meditating.
Meditation and prayer – I turn to a simple and ancient “Jesus Prayer” from the Orthodox tradition. I’ve adapted this to be a prayer of spiritual alignment for myself, and of compassion and care toward all people, all creatures, and the planet itself.
Spiritual guidance – I then invite my spiritual ally (for you this can be any angel, ancestor, saint) to guide my day, and to speak to me through my intuition and imagination. I listen for the day’s guidance and may jot down what I hear in my journal.
Closing – I finish with a simple word of thanks.
This may sound like it stretches on for an hour, but most days it’s just 15–20 minutes.
The specific form of practice matters less than the spirit behind it. What’s important is finding a rhythm that helps you quiet your body, emotions, and thoughts, and opening yourself to guidance from beyond.
Your practice could include prayer, meditation, poetry, art, movement, sacred reading—there’s no end to the creative possibilities.
The key is simply to begin. Even two minutes of intentional practice can shift the tone of your day. And starting our days with intention doesn’t have to be elaborate. It just has to be real.
How do you or might you start your day?