Priming at Dawn
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Our son Sam has been staying with us recently, and while he’s here, he’s trying out my morning routine. We have been talking a lot about effective work-from-home habits, and morning priming tops my list.
Between five and six a.m., we bumble our way out to sofa, wrapped in blankets. Sitting beside one another in the dark, we envision each aspect of our day in order and feel into what we imagine are the best possible feels for that planned activity. We don’t see ourselves doing it so much as feel ourselves doing it.
Sam didn’t find this so easy at first. We are more accustomed to using our imagination for worry than for fun. I encouraged him to not get hung up on the details, but rather to enjoy the possible feelings, asking himself, “Well, what if x happened? How would that feel?” From this uplifting emotion, more creative ideas flow, then more nourishing emotions. The key is to feel all the best feels without attachment to outcome.
Every morning, this priming practice adds 10-50 minutes of sheer joy to my day. That alone is a win. But there’s more. In scientific studies, people who are primed to feel uplifting emotions see more in a picture than those who don’t. They problem-solve better. They see more opportunities. They get more of what they want.
Sam has been surprised at how much fun this practice is, and his daily workflow is building momentum. He’s tapping into more resources that help him focus and solve problems. More partnership and fun is coming his way. Is it the priming? I wouldn’t be surprised.
For myself, I’m delighted to discover that when I speak parts of my prime aloud to my companion, the experience is enhanced. That makes sense. Different parts of my brain light up when I listen and feel the vibration of my joyful truth in my chest.
When have you shared something you love with someone dear only to love it (and them) more?