Lots and lots of voices out there advocate having a standard routine for how you start your day.  It sets the tone, it puts you on auto-pilot as your mind awakens and your conscious self comes to the fore.  I believe in this approach 100 percent.

Often folks will include affirmations, meditation, or prayer as part of the morning routine.

Here’s a sample that sets the proper tone for me.  It comes from Ignatius, who’s feast day in the church was 31 July, and who I’m making the feature thread this week.

SUSCIPE (“Receive”)

“Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,

my memory, my understanding, and my entire will.

All I have and call my own.

You have given all to me.  To you, Lord, I return it.

Everything is yours; do with it what you will.

Give me only your love and your grace,

that is enough for me.”

–St. Ignatius Loyola