I was not always an early riser, but as life changed and particularly after I became a mother, I have come to love mornings. They offer a quiet, reflective time before the busyness of the day begins. I discovered many years ago that spending a few minutes in a quiet corner of the house with a mug of coffee and a devotional helped to anchor my day.

Just over a year ago, I was struggling to find some balance in my new life in Iowa. Adjusting to a new job and considerable drive time to get my children to and from school (out of district until our new home is completed) had me feeling as if I was always scrambling to keep up. My mornings became more important than ever.

That’s what drew me to The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod.

Hal’s story is one of overcoming incredible obstacles and achieving high levels of success. The magic in the book for me is that it provided a blueprint on how to add more intention to my morning routine. Through his suggestions, I’ve created a ritual and rhythm to guide me each morning, all geared towards creating my best version of myself.

Until we dedicate time each day to developing ourselves into the person we need to be to create the life we want, success is always going to be a struggle to attain. – Hal Elrod

Now I am up well before the sun each day. Following the Miracle Morning guidelines, I enjoy silence, affirmations, visualization, reading, journaling and exercise (typically yoga). I cherish this time to better prepare for the day ahead and to connect with something greater than myself. I focus on gratitude as I write each morning and I find inspiration in daily devotionals. Waking up with intention and purpose has made all the difference.

Our lives are hectic and full of noise – distractions surround you; your phone, the tv, a never ending to do list – carving out time each morning before the noise comes in and the demands begin is necessary for me to find some peace each day. I don’t check my email or social media until I’ve had this sacred time. I protect it from the outside world. I feel a sense of accomplishment in doing something for myself each morning. It helps me gain a much-needed sense of control in this busy life.

I share this partly as encouragement – if you are feeling adrift, or craving peace in your day, explore creating your own morning ritual. I also share this partly as a refresher for myself – there are always improvements and adjustments to make in anything we do. My mornings are no different, remembering the intention behind it, the dreams I have and the passion to achieve them. The body that needs to add more exercise to my mornings (admittedly, if I’m running behind, it is the first to be sacrificed). While I’ve far from perfected the Miracle Morning, I am grateful for many more mornings ahead to continue this work.