Early Morning Discipline
As I opened my laptop this morning, I was vaguely aware of the wind whipping outside my window, ushering in cooler weather and soon, the season of the sticks. I’ll level with you, I’d rather be anywhere but in front of my computer writing this morning, as evidenced by the fact that I’m 30 minutes late to my ‘writing appointment’ with myself. Actually, I’d rather be curled up in my warm bed, maybe scrolling the news or finishing the last few pages of the gothic thriller I’ve been reading. However, not much happens absent of discipline, so I’m here, sipping some warm lemon-ginger water from a bamboo straw and hoping something brilliant will make the long journey from my brain to my fingers and onto this page.
Before I sat down at my computer, while brushing my teeth, actually, I found myself meditating on the idea of habits. You see, I have a habit of pacing, even wandering into the next room when I brush my teeth. I assume this is a carryover from having to share a bathroom with many roommates over the years, developed from a compulsion to make room for everyone at the sink, but I still do it even after living alone for a few years. I never noticed it or thought it was strange until one of my closest friends pointed it out and told me she thought it was kind of gross (hah!). Anyway, the point is, this habit doesn’t technically add or subtract from my life, but I still do it automatically.
This is the nagging idea that drew me here - the idea that I could create an early-morning-writing-while-drinking-warm-lemon-ginger-water habit that feels as automatic as taking-a-stroll-while-brushing-my-teeth.
I don’t have scientific evidence for you, but I can say that I used to have an easier time with discipline, and I think technology has played a big role in that change for me. Need to know who invented the printing press, learn how to make Naan, or find directions to Charleston, SC and a place to stay while you’re there? Easy, just a few seconds online and you’ve got everything you need. Want to be entertained while you eat, clean, or ride the elevator? You guessed it, stream a movie, scroll social media, or pull up a podcast in seconds. We live in a world where cheap entertainment is at our fingertips and distraction fits in the palms of our hands, and just like I learned how to pace while brushing my teeth, I feel as if I’m learning to become more easily distracted (read: less disciplined).
I know it is changing my brain, and I don’t like it. You probably don’t, either.
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Conforming to the ways of the world is almost natural if we live our lives on screens without thinking about habits, people, and kingdom purpose. For me, this means seeking God first and praying for him to renew my mind, restore my soul, reveal my purpose, and help me access his power to chase after it. It means being fully present with people in everyday life (and keeping my phone in my purse), and it also means adding valuable habits and subtracting bad ones.
We don’t get it right every single day, not by a long shot, but each day is full of new mercies (Lamentations 3:22-23) and opportunities for us to try again. Sometimes, we have to remind ourselves that showing up late is better than not showing up at all, that something is better than nothing, and that the ‘start next week’ mentality is mostly harmful, that starting now is better. I also believe when we get the ‘first things’ of the day right, we get more wins throughout the day; success begets success or something like that.
So here I am, and here I will be for the next 26 days - and hopefully beyond because the habit sticks :) - just working on myself through writing and drinking warm liquids in the wee hours of the morning.
What new habit are you trying to build?
