Before You Reach for Your Phone, Reach for the Sun

When my oldest daughter (now 27—almost 28! 😉) was a toddler, we used to watch a children’s show called Barney on a kids’ TV network. One of its most beloved songs was “Mister Sun,” such a simple yet lovely tune to sing—on the show and throughout our day together. I remember softly singing it to her when she woke up in the mornings from time to time.

The first few lines went like this:

“Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun, Please shine down on me.”

That song came to mind this morning as I sat outdoors with a cup of coffee, enjoying the gentle warmth of the sun.

Technology is wonderful—until we overuse and abuse it. Social media has given us endless, 24/7 access to the good, the bad, and the ugly. For many of us, reaching for our phones first thing in the morning has become almost instinctive. Yikes. Even writing that doesn’t feel good. I’ll admit—it’s a habit I’m trying to undo.

We reach for our devices to check messages, emails, and social media feeds. Many of us, myself included, even start our workday that way. But beginning the morning with a screen can set the tone for the whole day. One unpleasant message, or one overly “perfect” post online, can easily shift our mood before we’ve even had a chance to center ourselves.

What if, instead of reaching for our phones, laptops, or tablets first thing in the morning, we reached for the blinds or curtains to open them? What if we cracked open a window—or better yet, a door—and stepped outside to greet the new day? Imagine letting the sunlight touch your skin, feeling its warmth gently wake both body and mind.

What if, instead of starting the day by consuming someone else’s words, worries, or highlight reel, we chose to begin with our own kind of joy?

May we greet each new day, as often as possible, like that friendly purple dinosaur who once taught children (and their families) about sharing, caring, and living with kindness.

And while we’re at it, may we whisper a word of gratitude when our eyes first meet the morning sun—because gratitude, after all, is transformative. 🌞