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The Importance of a Morning Routine

11/8/2017

14 Comments

 
Picture
Everything is on the line when you wake up. Looking at the cell phone is a plunge into the energy of others, the comparison traps of social media, and the anxiety of world news. It will start you off unbalanced and unfocused.

Dedicating the first moment of the day for yourself is the truest way to "look out for #1". A brief routine to consciously center oneself will make a remarkable impact on the rest of the waking hours.

Here is my current routine:

  • ​Wake up without an active phone: Obviously nothing beats waking up naturally, but if an alarm in necessary use an alarm clock. Sunrise clocks offer a gentler way to be roused.  If you must use the cell phone, make sure it's on airplane mode before you sleep so that zero notifications will catch your attention as you turn off the alarm in the morning. The key here is not to get sucked into the device in this fragile, groggy state.
  • Take a second to appreciate another day alive: Sometimes I verbally acknowledge this.
  • Drink a glass of water: Hydrate yourself after many hours of no water.
  • Meditate: I've been using the app Calm to keep consistent. Some of my friends like Headspace. Spotify is full of guided meditations. There are also many free ones on Soundcloud. A regular meditation practice will start bleeding into the rest of the day in fascinating ways. More and more often I break out of the spell of deep thought into the present moment.  Waves of emotion become less consuming as a gap appears between a sensation and a reaction.
  • Journal: This is the daily briefing with the captain of the ship. Is the course optimal? I write down a few things about which I'm grateful, remind myself of who I am, and plan how to move through the day. 
  • Cook and Eat Breakfast: Author Yuval Noah Harari describes how modern homo sapiens have lost most of their sense of taste. Our attention is now often on a screen, a conversation, or a thought instead of on our food. The morning is a chance to appreciate the stuff that's going into our bodies. Keep the phone off and savor the flavor, texture, and nourishing sensation of that breakfast.
  • Phone on.. day started.
I'm always tweaking this routine and would appreciate any feedback to make the list better. What is your best tip to start the day right?
14 Comments
Ian
11/8/2017 11:28:24 am

Noted, appreciated but I’m sure you’d feel much better if you used savour and flavour! Just saying. 😂

Reply
Jonathan
11/8/2017 05:03:28 pm

I'll check it out!

Reply
Janet
11/8/2017 03:29:59 pm

Good advice.....hoping to travel more.

Reply
Jonathan
11/8/2017 05:04:56 pm

Thanks Janet. Hope you make those travel goals happen.

Reply
Scott
11/9/2017 05:51:35 am

Hi Jonathon--love TRLT. Routine is great. I compare my routines to my New Year resolutions at least weekly.

If any of my routines/habits don't support them, I try to create a habit that does match my New Year resolution or other goals. It is a daily struggle.

My current routine--

- Spend a few minutes being grateful for the small and big things in my life
- Practicing presence by silencing my mind
- Ask myself questions--Did I take anything for granted yesterday? Was I unfriendly to anyone?
-Activate all my senses as soon as possible--sight/hear/touch/taste/smell.

Hope i to bump into you on TRLT when i am brave enough to join you.

Reply
Jonathan
11/9/2017 10:48:34 am

Yo Scott, thanks for all that positive input! I like the questions you listed and the concept of activating the senses. Gratitude is always huge. I'm grateful for your comment my friend.. hope to see you on the RLT.

Reply
Katy
12/7/2017 10:16:52 am

To have some idea, project, dream, man, woman, kid, be passionate about what you do or be in love, shortly to have something, someone what makes you wake up happy and go ahead, something makes you grow, become better and feel alive

Reply
Jonathan
1/29/2018 06:04:04 am

Some good points Katy. You're advice reminds me of a Rumi poem I just posted on IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/BegkK7vH4UI/?taken-by=jonathan_legg

Reply
uma subramanian
1/19/2018 10:30:41 am

We love your travels through India. watched most of them, including the recent one to Mysore (the Nandi). What makes your shows so different is your personality, the personable way you put yourself in the midst of the people of all classes, show your respect to them, and realize that you are in their world, just passing through. Yours is not one of those shows about the 5 star hotels and fancy boutiques in Delhi or Mumbai. Hope to see more of your travels everywhere. You make them entertaining and educational.

Reply
Jonathan
1/29/2018 06:12:45 am

Wow Uma, thanks for taking the time to send me this positive feedback. It means a lot. This is my passion and intention: to connect the viewer with a genuine experience which creates curiosity, wonder, and a sense of connection with humanity. Whether it's the tribesman with the blowpipe in Sarawak, the London Goth aficionado, or a salty sailor plowing through the Southern Ocean; these people all want to love and be loved. They are at the core not that different from you and me.

I'm happy to hear you see a glimmer of that sentiment in the show. Thanks again.

Reply
Menoy LeBoeuf
1/19/2018 01:44:58 pm

I just love your show.

Reply
Jonathan
1/29/2018 06:13:23 am

Thanks for watching Menoy!

Reply
Mark link
2/5/2018 11:02:54 pm

Have watched all of your shows up to this point. Have lived a life less travelled due to having 11 children. Just coming out of that with little to show financially but have much love. My love after my children would be adventure. Have paddled thousands of miles with my friends on the Mississippi River and taken a few Caribbean cruises but would love to be your disciple for a trip or two. Keep putting out the vids and keep your heart on your sleeve. Mark

Reply
Jonathan
2/6/2018 12:39:32 pm

Thanks for following along. Mississippi paddle trips sound epic! Love is the best currency you can have brother. I appreciate your words and support.

Reply



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