Setting Your Mind Right: A Morning Practice

Dear friend,

The truth is getting over the daily humps and setbacks isn’t always easy. Especially if they involve other people. Often, these moments of friction can send us into a downward spiral, souring our mood, dampening our creativity, and setting us on the wrong path for the rest of the day.

Something that has been transformative for me is setting my mind right first thing in the morning. I do this in the form of a prayer—and it’s something I either say out loud or in my mind while I’m taking my dog for a walk, making my bed, or simply going about my morning routine. It’s most powerful when done first thing upon waking but can help me reset my mind at any point in the day. Here’s sort of what I say:

“I am a spirit, and I have a soul, which is my mind, my will, and my emotions and they are in this temporary body. Lord, your Holy Spirit also reside here in my body, and I desire for my spirit and God’s Holy Spirit to be in relationship today. My body, mind, will, and emotions will not control my spirit, but my spirit will influence my soul and body. Outward circumstances I encounter today will not affect me because I know who I am—I am a spirit that has a soul and is temporarily living in this body. I thank God for this body and its strength, and I will do my best to steward what I’ve been blessed with.”

Starting my day with this mindset sets me up for success. A great example is from today: I woke up feeling good, ready for a new day. But I made the fatal mistake of checking my email early on, where I found a message from a frustrated colleague. I was instantly pulled into resolving the issue, which threw me off balance.

About 15 minutes later, while making my bed, I realized I had forgotten to set my mind right. I paused, redirected my thoughts, and spoke my prayer aloud. Instantly, I felt warmth and support from the Holy Spirit, reassuring me that I wasn’t alone. In those moments, my thoughts aligned, and I felt guided, knowing that I could handle whatever came my way with grace.

The key is to stay in that zone as best as possible. If you catch yourself getting caught up in external things, remind yourself who you are—a spirit. Don’t let the material world influence the deepest part of you.

Understanding this has truly changed my perspective. I approach each day with a glass-half-full mindset, giving people the benefit of the doubt and assuming the best intentions. Even when things don’t go as hoped, I don’t hold on to negativity because I know it won’t touch the deepest part of me.

Why is this important for us, especially in holistic living? Our mind and emotions directly influence our health. If we don’t manage them appropriately, they can easily spiral out of control, affecting our physical well-being. Managing our response to stress is crucial; it helps reduce inflammation and other health issues connected to our emotional state. We could be doing everything else right; eating all the best food, practicing a perfect morning routine, but if we do not have peace, the type of peace that surpasses all understanding, it will manifest in our physical health.

I hope you find this practice useful, encouraging, and empowering. If you decide to try setting your mind right each morning, let me know how it goes!