Starting the Day Right

We had a class the other night in our Teacher of Pupils Training that was of tremendous benefit to me. The subject was “Starting the Day Right.”

What I did was pull together everything I could find where Jesus talks about how to start our day, which included the moment of waking as well as our morning quiet time. It was surprising just how much is said, how many angles are covered, how consistent it is, and how practical it is.

STARTING THE DAY RIGHT

Broadly speaking, then, it can be said that it is well to start the day right. (M-16.2:6)

The moment of waking

You should begin each day with the prayer “Help me to perform whatever miracles you want of me today.” (Urtext)

We make the choice for Heaven as we wake, and spend five minutes making sure that we have made the one decision that is sane. (W‑pI.138.11:1)

We waken hearing Him, and let Him speak to us five minutes as the day begins, (W‑pI.140.11:1)

We think of truth alone as we arise, and spend five minutes practicing its ways, encouraging our frightened minds with this: The power of decision is my own. (W-pI.152.11:3)

Holy indeed is he who makes these words [“I am as God created me”] his own; arising with them in his mind, recalling them throughout the day, at night bringing them with him as he goes to sleep. (W-pI.162.3:1)

With this [“God is but Love, and therefore so am I”] we start each day of our review….And with this thought we sleep, to waken once again with these same words upon our lips, to greet another day. (W-pI.rV.11:3)

The day begins and ends with this [“I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me.”]. (W-pI.rVI.In.3:6)

Be in my mind, my Father, when I wake, and shine on me throughout the day today. (W-pII.232.1:1)

Today I wake with joy, expecting but the happy things of God to come to me. (W-pII.285.1:1)

Father, I wake today with miracles correcting my perception of all things. (W-pII.346.1:1)

Morning quiet time: When and where

We will have two three‑to‑five‑minute practice periods today, one as soon as possible after you wake, and another as close as possible to the time you go to sleep. It is better, however, to wait until you can sit quietly by yourself, at a time when you feel ready, than it is to be concerned with the time as such. (W‑pI.42. 3:1‑2)

It may be that the teacher of God is not in a situation that fosters quiet thought as he awakes. If this is so, let him but remember that he chooses to spend time with God as soon as possible, and let him do so. (M-16.4:2-3)

Guiding principle: as soon as possible after waking

…as soon as possible after you wake… (42.3:1)

In the morning, as soon as you get up if possible, sit quietly…. (W‑pI.41.6:2)

Three five-minute practice periods are required today, one as early and one as late as possible in the day. (W-pI.43.4:1)

Perhaps the one generalization that can be made is this; as soon as possible after waking take your quiet time… (M-16.4:7)

We emphasize the benefits to you if you devote the first five minutes of the day to your reviews… (W‑pI.rIII.In.8:1)

Balancing factor #1: when there will be few distractions

It is better, however, to wait until you can sit quietly…than it is to be concerned with the time as such. (W‑pI.42.3:2)

To facilitate this, select a time when few distractions are anticipated…. (W‑pI.32.4:3)

…the exercises should be done with your eyes closed and when you are alone in a quiet place, if possible. (W-pI.rI.In.3:3)

…may be undertaken at the most convenient and suitable time that circumstances…permit. (W-pI.43.4:2)

…at times most suitable for silence… (W‑pI.125.7:1)

…a situation that fosters quiet thought… (M-16.4:2)

Balancing factor #2: when you feel ready

It is better, however, to wait until…a time when you feel ready, than it is to be concerned with the time as such. (W‑pI.42. 3:2)

To facilitate this, select a time…when you yourself feel reasonably ready. (W‑pI.32.4:3)

…to be undertaken at [a time]…that seems most conducive to readiness. (W‑pI.34.2:2)

…may be undertaken at the most convenient and suitable time that circumstances and readiness permit. (W‑pI.43.4:2)

Balancing factor #3: when you can be alone in a quiet place

It is better, however, to wait until you can sit quietly by yourself…than it is to be concerned with the time as such. (W‑pI.42.3:2)

After you have read the idea and the related comments, the exercises should be done with your eyes closed and when you are alone in a quiet place, if possible. (W-pI.rI.In.3:3)

Dedicate the day to the goal of learning today’s lesson

We dedicate this day to the serenity in which God would have you be. Keep it in your awareness of yourself and see it everywhere today, as we celebrate the beginning of your vision and the sight of the real world, which has come to replace the unforgiven world you thought was real. (W-pI.75.11:1)

Today is a day of special dedication. We take a stand on but one side today. We side with truth and let illusions go. We will not vacillate between the two, but take a firm position with the One. We dedicate ourselves to truth today, and to salvation as God planned it be. (W-pI.98.1:1-5)

Remind yourself every quarter of an hour or so that today is a time for special celebration. (75.9:2)

As every hour passes by today, be still a moment and remind yourself you have a special purpose for this day; in quiet to receive the Word of God. (W-pI.125.9:5)

As often as you can, remind yourself you have a goal today; an aim which makes this day of special value to yourself and all your brothers. (W-pI.126.11:1).

…remind yourself this is a special day for learning, and acknowledge it with this:

This is my Eastertime. And I would keep it holy. (135.26:5-7)

Make any needed plans for practice

It is recommended that you set a definite time interval for using the idea when you wake or shortly afterwards, and attempt to adhere to it throughout the day. (W-pI.27.3:4)

Try, if possible, to undertake the daily extended practice periods at approximately the same time each day. Try, also, to determine this time in advance, and then adhere to it as closely as possible. The purpose of this is to arrange your day so that you have set apart the time for God, as well as for all the trivial purposes and goals you will pursue. This is part of the long-range disciplinary training your mind needs, so that the Holy Spirit can use it consistently for the purpose He shares with you. (W-pI.65.4)

Spend enough time to meet your deepest need

Morning and night, devote what time you can to serve its proper aim, and do not let the time be less than meets your deepest need. (W-pI.193.10:6)

We will continue spending time with Him each morning and at night, as long as makes us happy. We will not consider time a matter of duration now. We use as much as we will need for the result that we desire. (W-pII.In.2:6-8)

How much time should be so spent? This must depend on the teacher of God himself. (M-16.3:5-6)

Beware of making an idol of your morning routine

There are some general rules which do apply, although each one must use them as best he can in his own way. Routines as such are dangerous, because they easily become gods in their own right, threatening the very goals for which they were set up. (M-16.2:4-5)

Start the day over if you start without God

Broadly speaking, then, it can be said that it is well to start the day right. It is always possible to begin again, should the day begin with error. Yet there are obvious advantages in terms of saving time. (M-16.2:6-8)

STARTING THE DAY RIGHT CHECKLIST

If the statement on left is completely true, just put a check somewhere in that box.
If it is not true, then use the box on the right to write down how you can make improvements.

I wake with a thought of God on my mind.	I’d like to wake with the following thought(s):
I take my quiet time as soon as possible after waking, considering the need to have few distractions and to be reasonably ready.	I’d like to take it this many min. after waking:
I have somewhere where I can be alone in a quiet place.	I can establish a place in this room:
I spend enough quiet time (reading + practice) to meet my deepest need.	I would like to spend this much time:
I stay fully present and focused, rather than allowing my mind to wander all over the place.	I would like to spend this much time:
I wake up early enough to have enough time for my quiet time.	I would like to wake up at this time:
I get to bed early enough the previous night to not have that get in the way of my quiet time.	I need to go to bed at this time:
I consistently take my morning quiet time, making sure it’s not pushed out by other things.	Typical thing that push it out and how I can deal with them:
I do not just skip days with my practice.
I read my lesson carefully so I will be clear on the teaching and the practice.
I make sure I know what the practice is.
I make any plans needed for my practice that day.
I dedicate the day to the goal of really learning today’s lesson, trusting that will bring me peace. I therefore consider it a day of special value and special celebration.
I have not made an idol of my morning routine. My satisfaction comes from the content of my quiet time, not the form.
I make sure I start the day over if I start without God.

 
Overall: Please write down any additional thoughts and plans. You might also want to write a summary here. You might also want to listen within for a message about your quiet time.
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[Please note: ACIM passages quoted in this article reference the Foundation for Inner Peace (FIP) Edition.]
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