David J.

Pollay

Read David's bio and previous columns

May 19, 2008

Be a Day-Starter

My wife, Dawn, usually wakes up before I do. Sometimes she wakes up by alarm, and other times by the gentle tugging of one of our two little girls, five-year-old Eliana and four-year-old Ariela. Then around 6:30 a.m., it’s my turn. This is how I wake up: Dawn hugs me and whispers “Good Morning” until I open my eyes. It’s a beautiful way to begin a day; I am loved awake. Dawn starts my day.

And then I continue the cycle. I step out of bed and head upstairs to my little girls’ rooms. I quietly walk into their bedrooms and wake them up with a big hug. It is one of my favorite parts of the day. I start their day.

When everyone is dressed, they meet me in the kitchen. Each morning I make a fruit shake for Dawn and the girls. The girls drink their shakes while I make little bowls of oatmeal for them. When they finish their shakes, they let me know. Why? Because they know what’s coming: “The Happy Dance!” They giggle as I jump up and down like an excited little kid (we do this whenever something good happens in the family). They love my energy and the attention I give them. And finally, when it’s time for the girls to go to school (7:15 a.m.), I run alongside Dawn’s car waving, smiling and trying to make them laugh. We have fun in the morning. I help start their day.

I see it as my mission to help my family start their day in the best possible way. I want them to be in a mood to enjoy everything good that will come to them that day, and to be able to handle any challenges that might also arise. I see my role as a Day-Starter as an opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of the people I love.

How do you wake up in the morning? What is your first interaction of the day? What do you do and say to help the ones you love in the morning?

Be A Day-Starter in Your Family

If you’re not already beginning your day as warmly and positively as you could, be a Day-Starter for one week: When you wake up in the morning, express your love with your words and your actions.

If you normally complain right after you get up, express your love first. If you have to begin your day with a cup of coffee in the morning, do it after you have hugged and kissed everyone. And if you don’t normally hug and kiss your family, start now – and let me know what impact it has on your life when you do. Suspend your normal wake-up habits for one week. Be a Day-Starter at home.

Be A Day-Starter with Your Roommates

If you live with roommates, be the first to greet everyone. Be the first to smile. Make the coffee. Offer to make their breakfast when you make yours. Demonstrate your interest in them. Start their day.

Be A Day-Starter if You Live Alone

And if you live alone, call someone you care about. E-mail a kind note to a friend. Exercise with friends, or grab a cup of coffee with them. Start someone’s day.

Invite Your Family and Friends to Join You

And if you want your family or friends to join you on your journey as a Day-Starter, send this column to them.

Have a great week, and let me know how it goes.

Be a Day-Starter. Everyone in your life will benefit, and so will you.  

© 2008 David J. Pollay. Distributed by North Star Writers Group. May not be republished without permission.

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