You've got to move it move it

I'm tired of screwing around. I'm tired of feeling overwhelmed and whining about how much I have to do. It's bullshit. It's a lie I tell myself just about every day. If I really had too much to do, there would be some evidence of it in my life. I would miss work deadlines. I would let my family and friends down in other than momentary ways. I would stop saying "Yes" when we receive invitations, and I would stop coming up with cool things to do and see and experience. If I were as busy as I claim, I would have long since said, "ENOUGH."

What's true is that I spend HOURS of every week refreshing my inbox and stressing about how much I have to do. Without doing any of it.

A couple weeks ago I discovered the magic of living life in 15- or 20-minute increments. A friend reminded me that FlyLady has been recommending this for housecleaning for years, but I'm taking it farther. Think of all the things you can do effectively—even brilliantly—in 15 or 20 minutes. This morning, I have meditated, written my Morning Pages, cruised Facebook, answered email, exercised, and now written a blog post. Next on the agenda is my morning ablutions and, dare I say it, some actual FlyLady-style housecleaning instead of just my usual gold-medal whinging about housecleaning.

A body in motion tends to stay in motion. I know this. Perhaps if I can simply *move* instead of doing so much thinking about moving, I can finally take advantage of it.

The reason why

The question: Why are you doing that?
The answer: Because it's fun!

Yes, this is a simplistic little Q&A, but it represents a distinct pattern I have noticed in our lives since we started unschooling. Fun is our driving force. We consider it a worthy goal, all by itself, and it leads us to such good things.

Society so often insists that we do things for weighty reasons, for unpleasant reasons, for "good" reasons. What we've found, though, is that living for fun does not mean ignoring responsibilities, or shirking duties, or abandoning productivity. It simply means we enjoy what we do.

TJ Shuflin, an unschooling friend and professional photographer, explained it nicely on Facebook today:

"... if you don't call it a job, it isn't work. If you call it a hobby, it is fun. So I call what I do my 'hobbiness' and I'm getting paid to have fun while not working!"

Good morning

How to Create a Powerful Morning Ritual
By Christine Kane

It is said that your habits create your destiny.

I'd add that your habits also create your confidence, courage and even your creativity!

In other words, your daily choices, routines, and seemingly insignificant moments make all the difference in your results.

One of the best ways to generate great results is to create a morning ritual. A powerful morning ritual sets the tone for your entire day - and your entire year!

A ritual is personal. A ritual is creative. (Not reactive!) A ritual is what gets YOU on track to create your best day. (And subsequently, your best life!) It can be as simple as a 15-minute routine, or as intense as long-distance running. The important thing is that it becomes a HABIT.

My morning ritual combines a mixture of physical, mental and heart-centered activities to engage each of these human power centers!

Here are some ideas to help you create your own powerful morning ritual.

Hydrate First

Many Eastern health practitioners recommend chugging down at least a half-liter of filtered room-temperature water first thing. (Yes, before your coffee!)

Upon waking, your body has spent hours without hydration. Drinking pure water at this time triggers a series of physiological functions that keep your body super healthy. Some report that this one practice can actually heal many diseases. (I'm not a scientist – but I can attest to the amazing results!)

Get Moving

Exercise is called "The Number One Form of Preventive Medicine."

It is also a prescription for happiness and a cure for depression! Getting exercise first thing sets your day off right. You can do a simple stretching routine, yoga or an all-out heart-pounding hour at the gym. Pick something do-able and do it.

Meditate

Many people don't meditate because they find it intimidating. I say, start with just 5 minutes. Meditation connects you to your center, and to the deep silence that surpasses any drama that might be happening in the world of your personality. Don't worry about doing it right. Just allow yourself the time to BE.

Set Intention

"Intention rules the earth," says Oprah Winfrey.

It's true! Your intention is a powerful force to engage.

Remembering your intention puts you back on track. You become focused again.

Reflect for a moment on your Word of the Year. Read a goal you've written down for yourself. Remind yourself of a financial dream. (If you're one of my new students in Uplevel Your Business, read the intention you wrote down on the first day of the program!)

You don't have to know the HOW. You just need to set the intention so your inner GPS can stay on target!

Be Grateful

Before I get out of bed, I silently create a morning gratitude list. When I begin my day remembering my "gratitudes," (instead of my "anxieties") my heart fills with extreme joy and deep awareness. I then bring that energy into everything I do - and to everyone with whom I connect.

Use a Netty Pot

(This one's a little weird!)

For years, my acupuncturist told my husband and I to use a Netty Pot. We laughed at him. Then, in the face of acute sinus problems, my husband tried it and became a convert. He converted me.

A Netty Pot uses warm water and a special salt to cleanse your sinuses and clear your breathing. Google it, and let the idea sit with you for a while. (You might be a convert too!)

Eat Creative

Your choice of breakfast foods can set up your success with other meals as well. Start your day off in the healthiest way possible for you - and make it a ritual, not a chore.

Be Prepared: Create a Not-to-Do List

Everyone needs a "Not To Do" morning list.

Suggestions here include anything that brings up a "reactive" state: Turning on the local news. Checking email. Answering texts. Answering the phone.

Let these things wait until AFTER your ritual has been completed!

Your Assignment:

After reading this article, don't just think, "Wow. Those are some good ideas. I should try one or two."

Instead, deliberately create your morning ritual now. Take about 20 minutes to think about and write down what your ritual will be each morning. Start simple at first. Choose one or two items from this menu. Or come up with your own. Write out your Ritual in detail.

Begin first thing tomorrow morning, and let your habits create YOUR destiny starting now!

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Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her 'LiveCreative' weekly ezine with more than 11,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FRE*E subscription to LiveCreative at www.christinekane.com.

WANT TO SEE HUNDREDS MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE?
See Christine's blog - Be Creative. Be Conscious. Be Courageous - at ChristineKane.com/blog.

Serenity

I'm wearing my Serenity t-shirt today. It means more to me than ever.

Ever since Firefly, the word "serenity" has extremely (extremely) positive connotations for me. It encompasses not only its original meaning but all the honor and humor and family-like bonding from the show.

With my friend Serenity's death from cancer two weeks ago (!), it has come to encompass even more. It is a reminder to live now, to appreciate, to cherish, and to never take for granted. It means not only a state of being but a deliberate act of joy and remembrance.

Serenity = Love

I can't imagine a more wonderful legacy for my friend.