The first thing I do when I get up is pray and meditate to

The words of BeBe Zahara Benet shine like morning light upon the path of wisdom: “The first thing I do when I get up is pray and meditate to center myself for the day ahead. I ask for inspiration in my creative endeavors, guidance in my relationships and patience in my journey. It's a great way to get focused for the day.” In this utterance lies not only a personal ritual, but a timeless teaching. For the ancients also knew that how one begins the day sets the rhythm of all that follows. The dawn is not merely a time of light rising in the sky; it is the rising of spirit, the opening of intention, the setting of course for the voyage ahead.

The act of prayer and meditation is the foundation of this wisdom. To pray is to reach beyond oneself, to commune with the divine, to seek strength from a source greater than flesh and bone. To meditate is to turn inward, to quiet the storms of the mind, and to listen to the silent voice within. Together, these acts are like the two wings of a bird — outward and inward, heavenward and soulward — lifting the spirit into balance. Without such centering, the day scatters like leaves in the wind, driven not by purpose but by the accidents of circumstance.

Benet’s invocation of inspiration in creative endeavors reminds us that human beings are not merely workers, but creators. Just as the ancients sought the Muses before taking up the lyre or stylus, so too must we seek sparks of divine flame before embarking on our craft. Creativity is not summoned by force, but courted through openness, humility, and reverence. By beginning the day with prayer, one aligns the heart with the sources of inspiration, and the work of the day becomes more than labor — it becomes an offering.

Equally profound is the request for guidance in relationships. For what is life, if not a weaving together of souls? The ancients knew that even the mightiest warrior required fellowship, that even the wisest sage needed disciples, companions, or friends. By seeking guidance, one admits that love, friendship, and community are delicate vessels, easily cracked by pride, anger, or neglect. To ask daily for wisdom in these bonds is to acknowledge their sacredness, and to guard them with the same care as one guards treasure.

Then comes the call for patience in the journey. This is a truth as old as the stars. Every road worth walking is long; every ascent to the mountaintop is steep. Without patience, the traveler despairs, abandoning the path before the summit is reached. With patience, however, even the most winding journey becomes bearable, for the heart learns to trust that each step, however small, carries meaning. Benet’s words remind us that patience is not passivity, but strength — the power to endure, to continue, to wait for the fruit that ripens slowly.

History itself testifies to this wisdom. Consider Mahatma Gandhi, who began his days with prayer and meditation, grounding himself before confronting the immense trials of leading a nonviolent revolution. He sought inspiration for his cause, guidance for dealing with allies and enemies alike, and patience for a journey that spanned decades. Without such daily centering, his spirit might have fractured under the weight of struggle. But by anchoring his mornings, he sustained not only himself but millions.

The lesson for us is radiant. Do not rush into the day as if hurled into battle unarmed. Rise with intention. Begin with stillness, prayer, or reflection, so that your heart may be centered and your purpose clear. Ask for inspiration in your work, so that your labor carries beauty. Seek guidance in your relationships, so that your words and actions are gentle and wise. Call for patience in your journey, so that you walk with endurance and hope. These practices are not the privilege of saints alone, but the daily bread of all who would live fully.

Therefore, let it be passed down: the dawn is sacred. Do not squander it with haste or distraction. Instead, meet it with reverence, as one meeting a teacher. For he who begins the day with balance walks with balance; he who begins with prayer moves with grace; and he who begins with patience endures with strength. This is the way of the ancients and the way of the wise — to claim the first hour as holy, and by it, to shape the whole of life.