Every day of your life is a creative event - an event that will never repeat exactly the same way. How much energy and time are you spending at the beginning of your day to set the stage for what you truly want?

As life artists with a new "blank canvas" every day, we have many forms of artistic media (skills, people, places, things, attitudes, thoughts) with which to create our days. You may be saying, "My canvas is certainly not blank! I have this and this and this that I have to take care of." And that is true for all of us. But there is also the opportunity to see the duties and commitments of our lives as the background of our life canvas on which to create.

For example, if you have meetings to attend, what attitude will you go with? What skills will you draw on? Driving to work, what will you think about? What will you listen to? At home, how will you relax? How will you interact with others? And most importantly, in each moment of time that is your life, how will listen to your spiritual guidance and how will you express your true self?

Here are suggestions for setting the tone, the energy, the environment, the mental focus, and the purpose for your day.

1. Create Calm. When you are calm and peaceful inside, regardless of what’s happening outside, you are more prepared to know your own truths, to make good decisions, and to take inspired actions that lead you where you want to go.
   
   Creating inner calm is best done through powerful self care practices. Each person is different in what calms him or her. It may be exercise, reading, journaling, prayer, meditation, music, visioning, being in nature. OR it may be all of these. What’s important is to know for yourself what you need to begin your day in a calm and peaceful way, and Do It!
   
   It may be difficult to give yourself this time, but you will never regret the benefits it brings to all areas of your life. As life artists, our inspiration to create our day comes most easily from inner peace and renewal.
   
   
2. Create Clarity of Intention. Being clear about what you wish to create each day will help you know which actions to take. Further, you will more easily recognize support for your goals as it shows up in your world.
   
   One well known way to create clarity of intention for your day is to write out your goals for the day. (Do this right after you have completed your self care practices above). Another way is to affirm out loud what you will create this day. Add strength and commitment to your intentions and affirmations by saying them out loud while looking in the mirror.
   
   Another very powerful way to set clear intentions for the day is to answer the question, "What is possible for me today?" Or, "What is possible for me NOW?" Take time to allow for inspired answers to come in order to get past the sometimes uninspiring "to-do" lists.
   
   However you set and affirm your intentions, it is important to be as clear and specific as you can, so that you begin your day with focus and inspiration.
   
   
3. Cultivate Present Moment Awareness. The power to create is in the present moment. When you are aware in each moment, you are more apt to know what action to take. Inspired action comes out of the fullness of each moment. So does joy.
   
   When you practice being aware of each moment for a period of time in the morning, you are practicing for a day of mindfulness. Mindfulness helps you stay aligned with purpose, intention, tools and skills needed in each moment of action. Similar to taking a walk in the wilderness, if you are not mindful, you may lose your way. When mindful, you are apt to stay on track with your intentions.

By practicing these 3 steps, you will create days more likely to bring the results you desire. But even when they don’t, you will find that you are enjoying more moments, being more creative, and living life more fully.

Mindful Life Coaching helps you consciously create a life that is centered in your authentic truth and wisdom – a life of inner peace and joy.