Starting the day

I have never been a morning person. No matter how desperately I want to be and regardless of the fact that for the last 20+ years I've had to arrive at my "real job" before 7am, I just cannot get in the habit of rising early on my days off.

St. Francis de Sale gives us guidance for starting the day the right way and thankfully, he doesn't say what time you day has to begin:

1. Give Thanks
Adore God profoundly and thank Him for the grace of preserving you during the preceding night, and implore His pardon if you committed any sin during the course of it.

2. Recall the goal
Remember that the present day is given to you in order to gain the future day of eternity, and make a firm purpose to employ the day well for this intention.

3. Make a plan
Anticipate what tasks, transactions and occasions for serving God you may meet on this day and to what temptations of offending Him you will be exposed, whether by anger, vanity or some other irregularity. By a holy resolution prepare yourself to make the best use of the means that will be offered to you to serve God and advance in devotion. On the other hand, carefully prepare to avoid, resist and overcome whatever may be encountered that is opposed to your salvation and God's glory. It is not sufficient simply to make this resolution; you must also prepare means of putting it into practice.

4. Ask God for help
This done, humble yourself in the presence of God and acknowledge that by yourself you can do none of the things you have decided on, whether of avoiding evil or of doing good. As though holding your heart in your hands, offer it along with all your good purposes to His Divine Majesty, beseeching Him to take it under His protection and strengthen it so that it may turn out successfully in His service. Do this by such unspoken words as the following or their like: "Lord, here is this wretched heart of mine, which through your goodness has conceived of many good affections. Alas, it is too weak and miserable to do the good that it desires to do unless You impart your heavenly blessing. For this purpose I humbly beg your blessing, O merciful Father, through the merits of the passion of your Son, in whose honor I consecrate this day and all the remaining days of my life."

As a footnote, St. Francis writes the following:
All these spiritual acts must be made briefly and fervently and if possible before leaving your room, so that by means of this exercise, whatever you do throughout the day may be watered by God's blessing. I beg you never to omit this exercise.