Morning Miracles: Daily Rituals for Inner Healing and Self Discovery

Inner healing work has stormed the zeitgeist, with society becoming collectively aware of the simple fact that humans sometimes struggle. Wellness magazines and websites promote articles on ‘how to become the best version of yourself,’ illustrating individuals dressed in boho-chic, seated with palms facing up, and quoting Buddhist monks recommending the acceptance of life as it unfolds. What they don’t show is how to get to this state, and potential challenges that might come with adapting to this new way of living.

For the past three years I have been on this self-care journey. Contrary to what wellness influencers may tell you, inner healing is not a one-time-fix-all situation; it requires daily work and practice, so your growth evolves along with you. 

If you are prepared to embark on this lifelong challenge, you are probably wondering: where do I start? Some people enlist help from a guru, therapist, or life coach, which can cost hundreds of dollars per month, and can take time to see results. Some get involved with various twelve-step programs dedicated to a specific area of their lives they want to change (there are programs available for any issue you may face). Additionally, there are smaller steps you can take to test the waters of this journey before fully immersing yourself. In the paragraphs to follow, we will be focusing on how to engage in a daily morning practice to build self esteem and spirituality through three manageable first steps. 

1. Meditation

Meditation can be a helpful tool and can be used in any possible context. Moreover, it requires nothing but your body and mind.

For many, meditation is an abstract concept, and stillness a challenge. I heard from an artist friend that if you have no idea what to create, set a timer for one hour and sit in front of your medium, whether it be writing, painting, sketching, building, etc. At the end of an hour, whether or not you created anything, you still gave yourself time and space to do so. Eventually, you will look down and have something in front of you. I took this approach to learning meditation. 

Every morning at 8:00, I sat for ten minutes in silence, a small cymbal indicating the start and end of the session. I did this for a month. The beginning brought jitters: playing with carpeting, shifting in my seat, constantly looking around. Ten minutes felt like thirty. Eventually, I sat still. After a week, my eyes closed, and soon my mind quieted, and ten minutes felt like two. I have since engaged in colorful guided meditations for hours at a time.

Some benefits I have noticed since I started meditating on a regular basis include lower levels of anxiety, a quieter mind, feeling spiritually connected to the universe, increased self esteem, and motivation to start my day. 

2. Journaling 

Keeping a journal or a diary has been done since the beginning of time. It is a great way to clear your mind and start the day feeling refreshed and conscious. What do I mean by conscious? Well, when you record first thoughts of the day on paper, you bring awareness to your current state, and reveal what you actually want or need. It can quite literally alter the course of your life, if you let it. 

A form of writing referred to as “stream of consciousness,” is my personal go-to. This happens when you set a timer/number of pages to write, put pen to paper, and you don’t pause until time is up, even if there is seemingly nothing to write. When you feel stuck, simply write that you are stuck. In these moments, I have found this to mean we are fighting with our brains to open the gates of your subconscious. This often leads to unexpected realizations about oneself, one’s life, or unrealized wants or needs. It can be extremely powerful. If you choose to try it, beware: change will come. 

3. Reading/Prayer

I have found starting my day with words from others on this healing journey with me to be helpful. Though I value my own thoughts, taking the opportunity to be exposed to new perspectives often shifts my focus toward a path I may be more suited for. While on this path, I have come across many sources of literature aligned with my new ways of thinking and acting. My favorite of which is a daily reader. This is a type of book written with meditation, writing, or reflection prompts for each day of the year. These books are an easy way to incorporate wisdom into my everyday life. There are many daily readers available; some are religious, others therapeutically based, some philosophical, and others about ancient wellness or trauma. You can also choose an inspiring passage, and make it a practice to read said passage each morning. 

For those interested in prayer, whether to connect to religion or to get involved in the basics of living a spiritual life, you can choose a series of prayers highlighting what you want your life to look like, and what you want to receive from the universe each day. It is a nice way to know you are not alone as you start your day. 

Whatever you choose to include in your daily practice can work. Each person’s day will look different from the next, and that is okay. These are only three simple things I have incorporated into my mornings that have worked for me. I have experienced much change from such seemingly simple practices, I would endorse them anytime if it meant someone else could receive the kinds of positive life changes from them as I did. 

So, with that, you’re on your way! Good luck, and remember, powerful changes can come from seemingly simple things.