3 Tips to Wake Up

My husband’s coffee cup caught my eye. I wonder why. 🙂

What does it take for you to wake up in the morning? Coffee? Tea? A workout? A hot shower?

For me, it’s definitely coffee, but even that doesn’t always work. Sometimes I go about my day half awake. Packing my girl’s lunch. Reading my devotionals but forgetting what I read. Washing a load of laundry but forgetting to switch the load. Grocery shopping but buying nothing to eat. Doing life as usual, but not really alert. Noticing no one and feeling no real joy. Apathetic living. Sigh.

And then there are the good days when the world is full of life and I feel most alive. I thought I would share how I wake up and live life fully alive.

Three tips to wake up:

1. Journal your thoughts and/or prayers. Writing is one way I live awake to the world. I love journals, yes, real paper and blue pens. My journal pages invite me to put my thoughts into sentences, then paragraphs and then pages. It does wonders for my spirit. I feel refreshed after expressing my thanks to God in writing. It does just as much good for me to write my woes, that way I don’t have to dump on my friends or family. 🙂 After you write, feel free to shred pages that aren’t good for others to read. God knows our hearts anyway, so I am free to write it ALL down. Taking my concerns to God first changes my perspective. Journaling wakes me up!

2. Carry a camera. I have two cameras, one is a small, point and shoot and the other is a Canon Rebel.  I carry my small one in my purse every day. This way I am visually alert to my surroundings. I know that if I see something that captures my attention I can snap a quick pic. It’s amazing  how my pics come in handy for future blog posts or to brighten an average day. Not everyone wants to do this and I understand. Some people feel like carrying a camera stops them from really living life, but if you are a visual person, you will agree with me: Carrying my camera is truly living! For a day or a week, carry a camera or use cell phone camera. Take pictures of anything and everything you notice and see if you don’t feel more awake.

(here’s a pic of some pics my kids and niece and nephew took recently)

3. Intentionally notice and pray others. Have you ever went out to do your day’s errands and intentionally focused on seeing those around you? As a busy generation, I know it’s not easy to do, but it is possible! There are opportunities while we are out and about. Our small gestures can lead to big satisfaction. For example, I have prayed for people in distress, like an overwhelmed cashier at the grocery store or the homeless man standing on street corner. One time I felt compelled to tell a young gal at Goodwill that God loved her. Often I use my driving time to pray out loud for people because I am easily distracted if I don’t hear myself think. 🙂 I feel my day is well lived if I spent it talking to God and being mindful of those around me. And it’s even better if I accomplish my “to-do” list.  A win-win!

So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.  i Thessalonians 5:6 NLT

Q4U: How do you live fully awake? I could use some more tips, it’s still morning.