I love mornings.  They are probably my favorite part of the day.  The beginning of a new day, all the possibilities to be discovered and experienced in the day ahead, the gratitude for being alive yet another day.

When I got up the other morning, I moved to my bedroom window to open the blinds and when I did so, I saw a morning filled with beautiful sunshine and blue sky waiting for me. Gazing outside at the beautiful day, I was filled with peace and happiness.  I stood there for a while, just being present and experiencing the moment, and as I did that, a gatha came up within me.  

“Gathas are short verses that call us to the present moment. Reciting gathas is a good way to meditate while engaged in any activity, be it sacred or mundane. Joining the breath, the mind, and the activity of the body, the practice invites us into a deep, direct experience of our environment and our self. Dwelling in the present moment in this way, deeply aware of the action we are engaged in, we can develop greater understanding and love……

In the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, a gatha is a verse recited, mentally or aloud, in rhythm with the breath. This is a mindfulness practice we can perform in daily life or as a part of formal meditation or meditative study. These gathas are intended to awaken the innate inner wisdom of the practitioner, spurring her toward enlightenment.”

This excerpt (very slightly paraphrased in parts) was taken from an article by Zachiah Murray published in Lion’s Roar.  Here is a link to the full article:

https://www.lionsroar.com/how-to-practice-gathas/

The gatha that came up in me that beautiful morning was this:

beautiful morning

a new day begins

filled with gratitude

i breathe in and breathe out

This gatha centers me, with each line matching an in breath or out breath, and it reminds me of the core simplicity of living.  Awareness of the present moment, gratitude, and mindfulness.  I now routinely recite this gatha as I open my bedroom blinds to greet each new day.  It has become a beautiful way for me to begin each morning.

I hope you have a beautiful morning today!