What’s The First Thing You Do Upon Waking?

The Energy of Intention and the Simplicity of a Smile

It’s that simple. The first thing in the morning that consciously comes within my purview is to hold a smile. Nothing else needs to be done—other than perhaps whisper a soft thank you.

Before the noise of the day sets in, before we reach for our phones or begin scrolling through mental lists of responsibilities, there’s a sacred moment of choice. A chance to set the energy that will flow through the rest of our day. When we smile, even briefly, we set the tone for what we’re calling in. A smile carries its own frequency—it’s intention in motion, energy in expression.

We all know what it’s like to wake up already overwhelmed by the weight of what’s ahead. Meetings, deadlines, family duties, expectations. But what if, before any of that takes shape, we start by smiling? Just a few seconds of soft awareness, holding that intention before our feet even touch the ground.

As I often do, I lean into perspective. No matter what is going on in our day, there is profound gratitude in simply being here. We don’t wake up with warheads blazing across our skies. We don’t wait in line for clean water or fear for our safety as we step outside. For most of us, life grants us small luxuries that are often overlooked—the warmth of our homes, the clothing that protects us, the clean water that hydrates and cleanses, the comfort of a bed that held us through the night.

When we begin our day with a smile and whisper thank you, it connects us to the vast field of possibility surrounding us. Gratitude becomes the lens through which we view life, sharpening our awareness of the beauty that’s always been there—the love, the shelter, the nourishment, the subtle miracles of our everyday routines.

For most of us, there’s always something to be grateful for: the people who care for us, the ones we care for, the animals who remind us of unconditional love, the ability to move through our day freely, to drive where we need to go, to work and create, to share our presence with others. Even in pain or uncertainty, there’s an opportunity to recognize that we are here, awake, and capable of choice.

For me, it’s a simple smile and a soft thank you for awareness itself—for the ability to follow truth, to see beyond illusion, to face discomfort with courage and grace. Starting the day with a smile is a reminder that each morning is a gift. Nothing is promised, and yet, here we are—given another chance to love, to grow, to experience, to learn.

How often do we move through our day on autopilot, blind to the quiet magnificence surrounding us? The people, the trees, the art, the sound of music drifting through the air, the architecture that shelters us, the golden rise of the sun. Every detail whispers life back to us, inviting us to be awake, to notice, to feel.

So tomorrow morning—and every morning after—before you roll out of bed, smile. Whisper thank you. Let your heart lead before your mind rushes in. Feel the power of that intention moving outward, shaping your reality, lighting the path ahead.

Each day unfolds exactly as it should—in perfect timing. We’re all presented with opportunities uniquely crafted for us, aligned with our divine blueprint. When we greet those opportunities with a smile, no matter what they look like, we infuse them with the energy of love and light.

It really is that simple.

A smile.

A thank you.

And a day filled with intention.