May 14th, 2020: Habit Changes
I recently learned that in order for our brain to get going in the morning is to brush our teeth by using our non-dominant hand. By doing so, we force ourselves to get out of our lazy habits and develop new neurological capacity. It sounds simple but it was rather clumsy at the beginning. We have some habits that actually take away our ability to pay attention to what we are doing. I actually drove downtown one day and was thinking that I needed to be there for a meeting. Well, the meeting was at the airport and nowhere near downtown.
The next thing I have been trying to do first thing in the morning is not to look at my cell phone as soon as I get up. I try to avoid starting my day with unhealthy distractions and become somewhat reactive to what I see. I prefer to be quiet, read, and pray. Sometimes the temptation is there due to pure curiosity. I would rather have a clear focus on what my day is about and plan for it.
One more thing that I have been trying to do more consistently in the early morning is to write thank-you notes to some people. I just need to have a practical exercise of being thankful for people in my life. Being thankful is actually quite important in having a good life. Thankful people are usually not cranky people. Therefore, they attract and motivate others.
Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
