It shouldn’t be that difficult. Most people open their eyes, pop out of bed and voila!- on with their day. For me, making the transition from Dreamtime to wakefulness is a sacred ritual. This can sometimes take up to an hour. Even when I was working full-time I always allowed some time for this.
I have a lot of “wild hamsters” that populate my head and if I don’t get them in line my day seems chaotic. First I brew a cup of tea, heat up my “hotties” for my tight back and then meditate for 12 minutes. Once my “spousal equivalent” feeds our two dogs, Bandit (Red Heeler) and Dougan (Golden Retriever) he lifts them up on the bed which is the favorite part of their morning as well. (Nothing like starting the day with four-legged love). Then he crawls back into bed to read the paper.
I spend a few minutes in my planner thinking about my goals for the day or week. On to my journal where I may write anything that’s been lurking in my mind, a poem, or a 
sketch for some art.
Notice I don’t start the day reading the news. I fail to see the point of starting the day feeling depressed. I can always listen to NPR as I go about my day to stay informed.
Then I am ready to transition from human being to more of a human doing with a foundation of centeredness that I carry with me throughout my day.
WAKING
There is an awkward transition
From Dreamtime
To wakefulness
Where the nightly journey in my subconscious
Is interrupted when my eyes open with the morning light
I was on the loose in the netherworld of experiences and imagery
Free from my rational mind
My decisions made for me
By loose spirits that escaped my memory
And hungry ghosts that haunt my psyche
Now as I face the responsibilities of the day
The departure from my warm bed imminent
I sit up and try to make sense of everything
In the bright world before me
And list all the things
I need to do
By Alanna Pass 