How do you start your day?

A few years ago, I had been to address adolescent children in a school and asked them what irritates them the most on a daily basis.

My mother waking me up every morning and not allowing me to sleep for 5-10 mins more was the common answer from the majority.

After empathizing with them I said, not everyone is guaranteed another sunrise. The very fact you are able to hear her voice means you are alive, and you should celebrate it.

I also said, this means she is also alive. Don't you think you should feel grateful for it? Not everyone can handle such an emotional loss.

Suddenly there was a paradigm shift. Looking at the children I added, it is extremely important to get our first thought, action, and feeling right in a day.

For me, my start is that of an enthusiastic gratitude through a prayer.