Morning Habits That Help Me Stay Respectful

 Morning Habits That Help Me Stay Respectful

Respect doesn't just happen.

At least it doesn't for me.

It is something I have to intentionally choose every single day. I want to be respectful to my husband, my children, my coworkers, the drivers sharing the freeway with me, my students, the cashier at the grocery store, the stranger who holds the door open, and every person whose path crosses mine.

Most importantly, I want to be respectful to God.

I've often thought that if every person is one of His children, then showing respect to others is one small way I show respect to Him. The way I speak, the way I respond, and even the patience I extend are reflections of my faith.

And there is one more person I try to respect.

Myself.

I've learned that respecting myself means taking care of my body, my mind, and my spirit so I can better serve everyone else.

That starts before the sun comes up.

I have always believed the old saying, "Early to bed, early to rise makes a person healthy, wealthy, and wise." There is something peaceful about the early morning hours before the demands of the day begin. The quiet gives me a chance to prepare my heart before I encounter the world.

My morning isn't rushed.

It is built on routine.

I spend time stretching and waking up my body. I take care of a few household chores, not because they have to be done immediately, but because having an orderly home helps create an orderly mind. Those simple tasks become a form of quiet preparation for the day ahead.

Then comes my favorite part.

Prayer.

Every morning I begin with the same simple requests.

• I ask God to guide my feet so they walk toward wisdom.

• I ask Him to use my hands to help others.

• I ask Him to open my eyes so I see the best in people instead of assuming the worst.

• I ask Him to fill my heart with compassion.

• And I ask Him to help my ears listen not just to respond, but to truly understand.

Those prayers shape the rest of my day.

When I climb into my car for my commute, I don't fill the silence with news or chaos. I choose calming music. It gives me time to continue preparing mentally for whatever lies ahead.

By the time I arrive at work, I am already hyper-aware of how I interact with others.

I make a conscious effort to be respectful.

• Sometimes that means holding the door for someone.

• Sometimes it means letting another driver merge in front of me even if they're in a hurry.

• Sometimes it means listening patiently to a coworker who simply needs someone to hear them.

• Sometimes it means extending grace to a student who is having a difficult day instead of immediately becoming frustrated.

I know people notice that I am overly courteous.

Some may think it's unnecessary.

I don't.

I believe kindness and respect are contagious. A smile can change someone's morning. Patience can calm an angry situation. A gentle answer can prevent conflict before it begins.

Of course, I don't always get it right.

There are days when I'm tired, stressed, or overwhelmed. There are moments when impatience creeps in or frustration gets the better of me.

But because my mornings begin with intention, I find it much easier to recognize those moments and correct myself before my attitude affects someone else.

Respect has become less of a behavior and more of a habit.

And habits are built through repetition.

So tomorrow morning, long before the rest of the world is awake, I'll be stretching, tidying my home, praying those familiar words, and listening to peaceful music on my drive.

Not because I think those things make me perfect.

But because they help prepare my heart to love God by loving the people He places in my path.

For me, respect doesn't begin with my first conversation of the day.

It begins the moment I wake up.