Morning

Starting the day should be a routine regardless of what time or how I get up. Some days a crying sad toddler doesn’t always induce a happy start. But as soon as whatever issue I wake up with has been dealt with I need to continue with the actual routine. By moving the focus back to the routine whatever happens when I wake up becomes itself a form of meditation.

The morning routine is as follows:

Hanuman Chalisa Chant
Bhagavad Gita Verse
Neti Pot
Hatha Yoga (20 mins)
Prayer with Kid
Breakfast
Brush Teeth
Change Clothes

I have trouble getting out of bed in the morning. I am going to be honest that my motivation to get out of bed is low. I have never been a morning person and my body resists waking up early without a fight. Sleep usually overcomes willpower. So having a strong reason to get out of bed is important.

Hanuman Chalisa Chant. The Hanuman Chalisa is about strength, courage, and devotion. So reciting it to get out of bed seems like a good way to start the day. I want to focus on reciting it and not on watching the video. So I will be chanting it myself.
Bhagavad Gita Verse. Following the Chalisa I will read a single verse from the Bhagavad Gita from Swami Chinamaya. This verse should be a meditation for the morning. A deeper study and meditation on the same verse with the commentary of Swami Dayananda will be done later in the day. But this verse should be meditated upon for the day ahead.
Say "Jai Shree Ram" and get out of bed.
Neti Pot. Clear out the nostrils and sinuses with a Neti Pot to breathe freely. This gives full oxygen to the brain and wakes up the body.
Hatha Yoga. Even a brief stretch removes the stiffness of the body. The yogasanas that are done will change based on age and capability and there should be a plan of attack on what is done. But do 20 minutes of stretching to wake up with a focus on the breath.
Prayer with Kid. A simple prayer with the kid to get the day going.
Breakfast. Eat a full breakfast to fuel the body for the morning.
Brush Teeth
Change Clothes