I’ve got a good friend who starts the day this way most mornings, something like…

Coffee in the cup, 2-3 newspapers — might be the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and the local paper — spread out on his kitchen counter, and the daily crossword off to the side. It’s usually very early, in the predawn, that he has this ritual. I think he might spend and hour or two this way.

I love the imagery. I love the approach. Starting the day as we want it is a blessing, if we can put it together. Begins the day our way, sets the mindset properly, taking the first step in the right direction.

I have a similar practice that has emerged, though not as long, but just as personal and private. Just now I’m sitting in the dark, quietly sipping cold brew, scribbling down this reflection.

I’m thinking about the last couple hours of sleep that are murky and grey, as thoughts for the day were already rushing into my subconscious. I scribble these thoughts down to share out, to take back the day, asserting myself, setting the stage.

Soon my kids will be up and so will the sun, the morning routines will accelerate as the school day and work day near, nearly time already.

But these few moments of scribble, these few sips of coffee, they make all the difference, all the difference, thus the day begins, GOOD.