Every morning I begin my day with some coffee and the news.  I’ve done this for decades.  It is my morning wake-up routine, and I am used to it. What’s really news is that I am starting to see that my morning rituals are making me feel bad.

Every day I find myself getting more nervous and fearful after hearing or reading how awful the economy is, and how people are struggling, the latest car-crashes and murders, bad storms and destruction, injustice and all-around sensational misery.

I think my cups of coffee will wake me up, but I’m beginning to wonder if they really do (I’m already awake).  I’m beginning to realize that the coffee makes me jittery and puts my nerves on edge.

Add in a ton of advertising on the TV news and in the newspaper designed to make me feel inferior and in need of things I don’t have and/or can’t afford, and I really am in a downward spiral.

Then it’s off to work feeling really worried about finances and so many people struggling in the world, making ends meet, wondering if my job’s on the line and my nerves ragged and raw from coffee.  I need to spend a lot of energy to just calm down, breathe deeply, reassure myself, pray to God for guidance – all to just begin the day!

I think my morning routine isn’t the best way to begin the day.  Time for some change in my waking moments so I don’t start the day off in a tizzy.  May be not fill myself with media-dread and not read or listen to news.  May be I need less coffee, or none at all.

What would my day be like if I began it peacefully, first with God instead of world crises?  What if I started with some spiritual daily bread and peace, instead of a cup of anxiety?

I think I’ll try some new approaches.  Any suggestions?  How do you start your day?  Please post your ideas, experiences and suggestions in the comments section below.  Add your bookmarks, subscriptions (free!) and make an RSS feed, too, please.