Morning Magic and a Basket Full of Miracles

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had some version of a morning routine. Even as a young mom, when I was juggling lunchboxes, carpools, and a full-time job, I was still up early. Back then, it was about making a warm and happy home, raising good humans, and showing up in the world with a smile and a packed to-do list. I didn’t have a name for it then. I just knew that getting up before the house stirred gave me a head start…on peace, on presence, on the day.

Fast forward a few decades and my mornings still start early. Very early. Sometimes 3am early. And before you ask...yes, I know that sounds over the top. But here’s the thing: GUS (God, Universe, Spirit) often has a thing or two to say to me during those quiet hours. Sometimes I’m still in bed when the ideas come flooding in. Other times, I’m already tiptoeing toward the coffee pot. Either way, when that inspiration hits, it’s powerful. And if I don’t write it down right away, it vanishes. Poof. Gone. My son, Bill, says that the Universe is constantly dropping ideas, and if you don’t grab them, they float off to someone else who’s ready. I believe him.

So I get up. I write the blog. I sketch out the workshop. I draft the outline. And most of the time, that early-morning creative magic turns into something meaningful for my community. It doesn’t always happen...but when it does, I know where it comes from.

About ten years ago, I was introduced to Hal Elrod’s The Miracle Morning and fell in love with the way he structured what I was already doing. The framework is brilliant. And it gave me permission to expand on what mattered to me, to really own it and evolve it. I’ve stuck with some version of it ever since. But I’ve also made it mine.

These days, my Miracle Morning is less about checking boxes and more about tuning in. Here’s what it looks like...give or take a dog walk or a second cup of coffee:

1. Meditation and Prayer
This is where I get quiet. I see meditation as GUS talking to me, and prayer as my chance to talk back. Some days it’s five minutes. Others, I can sit for a half hour. When my mind won’t settle, I use three-minute sound meditations to center myself. I also have my prayers typed out and stored on my computer so I can stay more intentional about who and what I’m praying for. This also makes it easy for me to make revisions as needed and I’ve found the more specific I am the better.

2. Affirmations and Visualizations
This one gets me going. I write my own affirmations...individualized, specific, heartfelt. I speak them out loud with energy, like I mean it (because I do). I also visualize what I want to create. Sometimes I record my affirmations and play them during my walk. It keeps me focused and fuels my day.  My affirmations and visualizations don’t need as much revision.

3. Move My Body
This isn’t a sweaty boot camp. It’s a gentle wake-up. I stretch, walk, or do a few strength moves with hand weights, usually while listening to an audiobook or podcast that feeds my mind. My body and brain both thank me.

4. Write Something
I may not journal every day, but I always write. It might be a thoughtful card to a friend, a blog for WILDD Hearts, or the start of a bigger idea. Writing grounds me. It’s always been a form of connection and healing, and it remains one of the most joyful parts of my morning.

Depending on the day, my full routine might take 30 minutes or it might stretch to two and a half hours. I don’t hold it too tightly. If I need to be somewhere early or just want to sleep in, I adjust. That’s the beauty of it. It’s not about perfection. It’s about presence.

My Secret Weapon: The Basket

Yes, I have a basket. It sits next to a small couch in my office, and it holds everything I need for my Miracle Morning: books, prayers, affirmation sheets, journal, pens, articles, meditation rounds. I even have my weights and mat nearby, along with headphones. Convenience is everything. If I had to hunt for all this stuff, I’d probably skip half of it.

Science backs this up, too. Research shows consistent morning routines reduce stress, boost productivity, and enhance well-being. But for me, it’s no longer about being productive. It’s about being present, grounded, and grateful. It’s about starting the day with intention and heart.

I don’t always get it right. I occasionally miss days. I sometimes rush through the motions. But overall, my morning routine is a sacred space. It has evolved as I have. And I’m grateful for every early hour, every idea from GUS, every sentence scribbled in half-awake handwriting.

If you’re looking to start or refresh your own morning routine, my advice is simple: make it yours. Borrow from the best (thank you, Hal Elrod), but don’t be afraid to tailor it. Add joy. Add music. Add whatever brings you closer to yourself.

And if you happen to wake up at 3am with an idea that won’t let go…maybe, that’s GUS talking to you too.

With love and sleepy eyes,

Diana
Love is ALL there is