This morning, a beautiful Monday morning, I started my day by thinking of ALL the things I am grateful for. That's quite a long list.   i actually really need to start typing it each morning, because I find when I just do the list in my head, I end up getting sidetracked in my brain (I have a short attention span... LOL).  Seriously, I do have a lot to be grateful for. I think we all do. I'm particularly grateful for all the "bad" experiences in my life, because they make me who I am today.  Life isn't always rosey, but I believe that we're given those not so good times in life so that we learn from them.

The next thing I do is I read from my daily devotional book. I bought this little book a few months ago. Do you know how many daily devotional books are available?? Wow, there are hundreds, if not thousands!!! I spent hours at the bookstore looking at many of them, narrowing down my choices, and finally deciding on a book. I wanted something inspirational, that would give me a good positve boost everyday, and teach me something. Other criteria was that the lesson was succinct. Third, I didn't want a book that was overly religious. I was raised Catholic, and I have a curiousity about Bible and its teachings, but I also wanted the devotional to easily apply to daily life.  I needed it to really connect the dots for me.

I finally decided on Joel Osteen's "Your Best Life Begins Each Morning: Devotions to Start Every Day of the Year."  I've watched Joel Osteen on TV maybe as many times as I can count on one hand, so I didn't buy it because of him, necessarily. I really like the way this little book lays out the devotion. The date is at the top of the page, (and an added benefit - there's no year, so I can use this little book over and over again each year), and there's a little scripture at the top. Then, the body of the page contains the explanation and how it applies to life.  It's really a fantastic little book!!  I learn a little something about Bible teachings, and it really starts my day off with a good thought and a positive beginning!!

So, what do you do to start your day? I'd love to know!!

Edited to add: OH MY... I almost forgot!!  I also read a "Note from the Universe" everyday. Notes from the Universe are these cool little emails that end up in your inbox every morning, and they give you a nice boost too!! I love Notes from the Universe!!