Rising in the morning

When you rise in the morning,
what fills your head?

Are you thinking of
food and drink,
the pleasures ahead?

Are you planning
the work you must do,
the labor ahead?

Are you fearful of
snares and dangers,
the evils ahead?

Are you hopeful of
all you'll achieve,
the successes ahead?

Let all those worldly thoughts
swirl in your mind;
Then let them flush away,
like dirt in a river.

Empty your head;
Let your brain be at peace.
Quietly, calmly, serenely
Offer the day to God.

—from Celtic Praise, edited by Robert van de Weyer