Morning Grace

 A practice for every morning...

Morning Grace.

If at all possible,

do not rush 

into the day.

From the moment 

you awake

its busyness 

will want to draw you 

into its complicated chaos.

Instead; pause, 

and then 

step gently into 

the grace of 

the morning.

Whether you wake alone, 

or with others 

who need your 

attention,

it is always possible 

to begin

in gratitude

from the silent sanctuary 

of your breath;

to pray the day 

into being,

just as the sun 

rises slowly,

so can you.

Do what you need 

to do

with awareness, 

with kindness.

Pray.

Yawn.

Stretch.

Wash.

Dress.

Eat.

Drink.

But, 

be aware 

of the

praying,

yawning,

stretching,

washing,

dressing,

eating,

drinking.

Look at the sky.

Notice the weather,

not as good 

or bad,

but as simply, 

weather.

The sun always 

shines 

above the clouds 

anyway.

The Kingdom of God 

is always within

anyway.

Be present to the 

Kingdom within.

Be the presence 

of the Kingdom without.

Smile.

Sing.

Dance.

(Or don't.)

The only thing

you have to do 

is breathe,

and you are 

already 

succeeding 

at that.

Greet your 

breath

as your prayer,

then you will pray

always.

If yesterday is present 

in your mind; 

notice,

ask what it wants 

to teach you 

and then 

return to your 

breath.

If tomorrow 

pulls you onwards; 

notice,

tell it you will 

meet it

when it arrives,

and then 

return

to your 

breath.

Today 

is the place 

you stand,

and the only 

place 

it is truly 

possible 

to be, 

anyway.

So be here, 

now,

choosing 

to be here, 

now.

Touch the earth 

with joy,

Look at every being 

with love.

Smell the coffee.

Smell the roses.

Smell the sweat 

of work,

all will remind you

you are 

alive,

you are 

here

for another day.

If at all possible,

do not rush 

into the day.

Instead, 

let the 

grace 

of the 

morning 

in.